Warne puts rivals in a spin Father-son combination Robert and Sam Waley-Cohen teamed up to clinch their third victory in Crabbie's Supporting The Hillsborough Families Fox Hunters' Chase as Warne made every yard of the running over the Grand National fences at Aintree. The Waley-Cohens landed successive renewals of the race with the admirable Katarino in 2005 and 2006, but while he was trained by father Robert, this year's representative was making his debut in the owner's colours, trained by Downpatrick-based handler Brian Hamilton. Sent off at 7-2 following victory at Fairyhouse in February, Warne jumped beautifully at the head of affairs and began to draw clear from the halfway stage. Hot favourite Mossey Joe and last year's winner Tartan Snow closed up from the home bend, but Sam Waley-Cohen had clearly been saving some petrol as Warne kicked away again from the final fence. Despite having the attentions of a loose horse, the 10-year-old stuck to his guns to take the prize by 13 lengths. Tartan Snow filled the runner-up spot, with 11-8 market-leader Mossey Joe back in third. Sam Waley-Cohen said: "He was brilliant, but I was terrified of that loose horse - he kept driving me off my rhythm all the way. He jumped so well and travelled so well - he made it easy, really. "Brian has done an amazing job getting him ready." The rider added: "This is a trophy we actually first gave in memory of my brother, Thomas. When we won the race with Katarino there was no actual trophy for the owners, so we decided to give something in memory of Thomas and we've been trying to win it back ever since." Hamilton said: "He travelled and jumped all the way. "Sam got him into a nice rhythm but there was a dodgy moment with that loose horse. "He's a better horse than he was last year and two miles five is his ideal trip." Trainer Stuart Coltherd said of runner-up Tartan Snow: "I thought he was in as good form as last year and he's proved it. "What a performance. He's 14 but he's not showing his age. I wouldn't have thought he'd come back, but never say never, as he does love being in training." Enda Bolger felt Mossey Joe could have been a touch short of full fitness. The trainer said: "He's only been in training since January and may have needed it. He ran well and jumped really well which is encouraging for next year, although he'd be 12 then. "We'll go on for Punchestown and then there's the big race at Stratford."
