Bidding for National glory (From Gazette & Herald)

Bidding for National glory

Was there a Ryedale-based omen to the winner of Saturday's John Smith's Grand National unearthed at Kelso earlier this week?

Profowens, trained at Brandsby by Peter Beaumont, and the mount of Russ Garritty, won the beginners' chase at the Borders course carrying the colours of Trevor Hemmings, who will be strongly represented on Saturday by last year's winner Hedgehunter and also Juveigneur.

The Lancashire-based multi-millionaire, whose prime assets include Blackpool Tower, has a large string of horses, spread among a whole host of trainers in Britain and Ireland.

Starting Grand National week with a winner was the perfect note for Hemmings to approach Aintree, and Beaumont is hoping that the owner can again clinch the world-famous steeplechase.

"Trevor puts a lot into the game and it would be grand to see him win another Grand National," said Beaumont after Profowens had carried Hemmings' well-known green and yellow-quartered colours to a seven lengths victory after being backed from 7-1 down to 9-2.

Beaumont, who is hoping to run handicap chaser Flight Command at Aintree on Friday, will also be at the Merseyside track for Saturday's great race, but only as an interested observer.

Hedgehunter is trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins, while Hemmings' other runner, Juveigneur, is based at Lambourn with Nicky Henderson.

A good winner of the National 12 months ago, Hedgehunter ran a mighty race at Cheltenham last month to finish second to War Of Attrition in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and, as a result, he goes into Saturday's race as the favourite at around 9-2.

"He must have a great chance, but he's got a lot of weight to carry, that's the only thing," said Beaumont, referring to the 11st 12lb burden - joint top-weight in the field - that the Hemmings hope will have to defy.

Graham Lee, who has strong links with Ryedale, having had his career kick-started by Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson in the late 90s, will, like Trevor Hemmings, also be bidding for a Grand National encore.

The Teeside-based jockey, successful in the 2004 renewal aboard Amberleigh House, will again ride the gelding, who seems to reserve his best displays for Aintree.

That said, Amberleigh House is now 14 years old and it would appear that a minor miracle will need to take place to allow this old-timer another taste of National glory.

Amberleigh House will be one of three runners in the race - Inca Trail and Ebony Light are the others - for the soon-to-retire Ginger McCain, who will be bidding for his fifth victory, his first three successes having been achieved by the mighty Red Rum.

Norton jockey Anthony Ross has been denied his chance of taking part in Saturday's race. Ross had been in line to partner Another Rum, trained in County Antrim by Ian Duncan, but the 33-1 shot has had his big race preparation hindered by the bad weather. Another Rum will now be targeted at the Scottish Grand National in a couple of weeks time.

A great race is in store on Saturday, and although Ryedale is not directly represented, another victory for owner Trevor Hemmings, who has strong links with the area, would be a fitting reward for a man who is a staunch supporter of the National Hunt game.

The annual Malton Racing Association Grand National Ball takes pride of place on Saturday evening at York Racecourse.

This year's black tie affair, expected to be attended by around 300 guests, will be in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The main fundraiser of the evening is the Grand Auction, which includes some prized lots. Would-be purchasers, for instance, can bid for a round of golf at Malton & Norton Golf Club with top local professional Simon Dyson, a guided tour of the fabulous Banstead Manor Stud, followed by a trip to Newmarket races, two VIP hospitality raceday packages at York, the opportunity to name a race at Beverley, or to buy a pair of racing breeches that have been signed by a whole host of top jockeys including Frankie Dettori.

MRA secretary Noel Scaling has worked tirelessly in recent weeks to bring the whole evening together and a great night is promised.

Another highlight will be the presentation of the Edward Shouler Trophy, which is annually awarded to a person within the Ryedale racing industry, who is adjudged to have made an outstanding contribution within the last year or over a period of years, either in achievement or effort. Last year's winner was Great Habton trainer Tim Easterby.

Entertainment will be provided by Morris & The Minors, who will keep the dancing going until well into the early hours.

All in all, it should be a perfect end to Grand National day.

Robert Winston, installed as favourite to be champion jockey this season, showed just why he is at the head of the field with a first-and-last-race double at Musselburgh last Friday.

The York-based jockey scored on Dorn Dancer and Garlogs, trained respectively by David Barker and Alan Bailey, which are early bricks in the wall of his title bid.

Winston, you will remember, was in pole position in the championship early last August when, on the verge of notching his 100th winner, he took a crashing fall at Ayr, which shattered his jaw and ruined his title hopes.

He is currently priced at around 9-4 to gain compensation in this year's championship, with reigning champion Jamie Spencer priced at 11-4 and former champion Frankie Dettori at 9-2.

Brian Ellison was also on the mark at Musselburgh, courtesy of John Forbes - a horse named in memory of his late father - who received a masterly front-running ride from Pat Cosgrave to gain a 16-1 success by eight lengths.

Malton trainer Richard Fahey and his number-one jockey Paul Hanagan, also figured on the scoreboard at the Scottish course, courtesy of Dancing Lyra, who followed up his previous week's success at Southwell.

The hot favourite was, however, made to fight hard for his victory and it took all of Hanagan's strength and guile to force him home by a whisker from Tom Eaves aboard Emerald Bay.

And finally, congratulations go to Jodami, Ryedale's former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, on reaching a notable milestone in his life.

Although all racehorses officially celebrate their birthdays on January 1, Jodami was actually foaled on April 6, 1985. So on Thursday, he will be 21 years old.

What is especially pleasing to report is that this ultra-popular gelding is in rude health, despite his advancing years.

"He just loves going out into a muddy field and having a roll, and then another roll," reports trainer Peter Beaumont, who still has care of him. "Most days recently, when it's been so wet, he's looked like a hippo emerging from a mudbath. He's in great form."

Updated: 15:06 Wednesday, April 05, 2006