Having been cancelled in 2020, Scotland’s biggest jumps race returned in 2021, and – as ever – it looked to be a hugely competitive affair. Of those to have taken part in 2019, only Big River and Chidswell returned for another crack, but both were amongst the outsiders on the day.
It was the Sandy Thomson-trained Dingo Dollar who just edged favouritism, with the nine-year-old having impressed when storming 10 lengths clear at Newcastle in his previous start. Others prominent in the market included Harriet Graham’s Aye Right, who arrived on the back of an excellent third in the Ultima Handicap Chase, and another Scottish-based runner, Mighty Thunder, who had recently finished second in the Midlands Grand National.
Result
- 1st – Mighty Thunder 8/1, Jockey: Tom Scudamore, Trainer: Lucinda Russell
- 2nd – Dingo Dollar 7/1F, Jockey: Ryan Mania, Trainer: Sandy Thompson
- 3rd – Mister Fogpatches 8/1, Jockey: Danny Mullins, Trainer: Pat Fahy
- 4th – The Ferry Master 20/1, Jockey: Sean Quinlan, Trainer: Sandy Thomson
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £84,405
- 2nd – £31,800
- 3rd – £15,915
- 4th – £7,950
- 5th – £3,990
- 6th – £1,995
- 7th – £990
- 6th – £510
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £7.30
- Tote Places – 1st – £2.50, 2nd – £2.70, 3rd – £2.30
- Exacta – £70.20
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £53.88
- Trifecta – £1349.70
- Tricast – £474.82
Recap
The ground wasn’t quite as demanding as is often the case, but this still represented a thorough test at the distance, with 11 of the 23 starters being pulled up.
Enqarde, Mister Fogpatches and Claude And Goldie took turns making the early running, but favourite Dingo Dollar was always right up with the pace. Halfway down the back straight second time around, the jolly began to inject a little pace into the race, resulting in those in behind becoming increasingly strung out.
Four from home and Dingo Dollar remained in front, with stablemate The Ferry Master seemingly emerging as his main challenger. As The Ferry Master began to back peddle, Dingo Dollar found himself around five lengths clear jumping the second last, but this was far from over. Having appeared booked for second or third, Mighty Thunder was now really building up a head of steam. Drawing within a length of the leader at the last, he hit the front around 100 yards from home to get up by three quarters of a length in a thriller.
A popular result with the locals, this was the first time since the 2012 success of Merigo that Scotland’s biggest prize remained on home soil. The win was no doubt particularly rewarding for Tom Scudamore, with Mighty Thunder having been trained for the race by his stepmother, Lucinda Russell.
Runners
- 1. Lake View Lad – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Nick Alexander, Jockey: Theo Gillard
- 2. Aye Right – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Harriet Graham, Jockey: Callum Bewley
- 3. Sam’s Adventure – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Brian Ellison, Jockey: Henry Brooke
- 4. Vintage Clouds – Non-Runner
- 5.Notachance – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Tom Cannon
- 6. Dingo Dollar – SP: 7/1F, Trainer: Sandy Thomson, Jockey: Ryan Mania
- 7. Mighty Thunder – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Lucinda Russell, Jockey: Tom Scudamore
- 8. Soldier Of Love – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Sean Bowen
- 9. Oldgrangewood – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Dan Skelton, Jockey: Harry Skelton
- 10. The Dutchman – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Tristan Davidson, Jockey: Harry Reed
- 11. Some Chaos – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Michael Scudamore, Jockey: Ben Poste
- 12. The Hollow Ginge – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- 13. Big River – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Lucinda Russell, Jockey: Derek Fox
- 14. Claud And Goldie – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Sandy Foster, Jockey: Richie McLernon
- 15. Coup De Pinceau – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Nick Mitchell, Jockey: Angus Cheleda
- 16. Chapel Stile – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Nicky Richards, Jockey: Ryan Day
- 17. The Ferry Master – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Sandy Thomson, Jockey: Sean Quinlan
- 18. Enqarde – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Dr Richard Newland, Jockey: Charlie Hammond
- 19. Cool Mix – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Iain Jardine, Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
- 20. Mister Fogpatches – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Pat Fahy, Jockey: Danny Mullins
- 21. Chidswell – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Nicky Richards, Jockey: Danny McMenamin
- 22. Chef D’Oeuvre – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Sam England, Jockey: Jonathan England
- 23. Dino Boy – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Iain Jardine, Jockey: Craig Nichol
Non Runners
Vintage Clouds (vet’s certificate)