Wales beat Scotland within the Scottish Grand National, with final yr’s runner-up Kitty’s Light getting the simpler of Cooper’s Cross in an exhilarating come across, however simplest after some 25 other folks have been arrested as animal rights protesters stormed the monitor at Ayr.
Beaten by way of his stablemate Win My Wings within the Ayr showpiece twelve months in the past, the Christian Williams-trained chaser continues to be simplest seven but has been working in those large handicaps for the previous 3 years. Raised 8lb for his win within the Eider Chase at Newcastle in February, Kitty’s Light used to be ridden by way of Jack Tudor, who just lately took the process as strong jockey for David Pipe. It used to be with Williams that he began his profession, despite the fact that, and within the aftermath it used to be transparent simply what the end result intended to the pair of them.
Dropped out, Kitty’s Light’s leaping used to be a lot better in this instance, a minimum of till he were given to the general fence at which he went during the highest. But that did not forestall his momentum an excessive amount of, and as Stuart Coultherd’s Cooper’s Cross attempted with all his may to stay the prize at house, Kitty’s Light (4-1 joint-favourite) stayed on strongly to attain by way of 3 lengths. Flash De Touzaine used to be 3rd with Threeunderthrufive fourth.
Williams has had his international became the other way up just lately with the inside track his five-year-old, daughter, Betsy has been identified with leukemia, and used to be emotional within the aftermath. “He’s a very important horse,” mentioned Williams. “We’ve got a big battle at home with my daughter, but this is great and will cheer everyone up. I’m lucky to have the staff I’ve got, and the family. It’s a great tonic to the kids watching at home and I’m looking forward to getting back tonight and seeing them all.”
Tudor told ITV Racing: “He’s a legend. He’s small and he’s not a brilliant jumper and he’s been trained to the absolute minute. This is brilliant for Christian, his little daughter is really unwell so it’s a massive lift for him more than anyone, the whole family, Charlotte [Williams’ wife], it means a lot this one so well done to everyone at the yard. People won’t know what this will mean to a Christian.
Before the start, protesters from Animal Rising attempted to disrupt proceedings, but they were quickly dealt with by police and officials and there was no repeat of the delay at Aintree, with the race going off just a couple of minutes late.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said a “prompt and professional response by stewards and Police Scotland officers prevented this group from causing any disruption” and that after there was “a further attempt to disrupt a later race involving a smaller group of protesters”. Mairs added: “Both incidents resulted in people being safely removed and no injuries have been reported. Overall, there have been 25 arrests so far across the day and inquiries are continuing.
Quick Guide
Greg Wood’s Sunday tips
show
Stratford-upon-Avon: 1.45 Carrigeen Kampala, 2.15 Three Macks, 2.45 Line Of Descent, 3.15 The Questioner, 3.45 Malina Ocarina (nap), 4.15 Ali Star Bert, 4.45 Glory Bridge, 5.15 Viroflay.
Plumpton: 2.00 Not Another Muddle, 2.30 Aviles, 3.00 Forest Jump, 3.30 Tip Top Mountain (nb), 4.00 Sporting Ace, 4.30 Captain Claude, 5.00 Stuti.
Ayr’s managing director David Brown praised the swift action of the police and security teams on course. He said: “The police and security dealt with it like the consummate professionals that they are. The race went off to time, there was no notable delay and the professionalism of the team up here in Scotland was a credit to them, they dealt with it in a very efficient manner.”
Isaac Shelby ran out an excellent winner of the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, by which the recent favorite, Chaldean, dramatically unshipped Frankie Dettori on popping out of the stalls.
The Group Three trial used to be meant to be the perfect stepping-stone for Chaldean – who received the Dewhurst for Andrew Balding and Dettori final season – en path to the two,000 Guineas. However, his race used to be over ahead of it all started, with Chaldean jinking to his left because the stalls opened, as Streets Of Gold went the wrong way, and Dettori coming off to his proper.
Isaac Shelby, educated by way of Brian Meehan, received the Superlative Stakes final season ahead of completing final of 7 on the Dewhurst, and used to be quickly in an early benefit underneath Sean Levey with simplest the unfastened Chaldean for corporate. On trying out floor not anything got here just about throwing down a problem, as Isaac Shelby (15-2) beat Charyn by way of 3 lengths with Theoryofeverything claiming 3rd.
