Hot on the heels of their famous success with Corach Rambler at Aintree, Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox were well-fancied to bag another National, with their representative, Your Own Story, coming in for strong support. He was ultimately being sent off as the joint-favourite with 2022 runner-up, Kitty’s Light, who made the trip north from the Welsh yard of Christian Williams.
Also prominent in the market were the unexposed Flash Collonges from the yard of two-time winner Paul Nicholls, Irish raider Malina Girl, and the Fergal O’Brien-trained novice, Manothepeople.
Result
- 1st – Kitty’s Light 4/1JF, Jockey: Jack Tudor, Trainer: Christian Williams
- 2nd – Cooper’s Cross 25/1, Jockey: Sam Coltherd, Trainer: Stuart Coltherd
- 3rd – Flash De Touzaine 40/1, Jockey: Richard Deegan, Trainer: Liz Doyle
- 4th – Threeunderthrufive 16/1, Jockey: Adrian Heskin, Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £112,540
- 2nd – £42,400
- 3rd – £21,220
- 4th – £10,600
- 5th – £5,320
- 6th – £2,660
- 7th – £1,320
- 6th – £680
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £5
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.70, 2nd – £5.30, 3rd – £7.40
- Exacta – £140.10
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £109.96
- Trifecta – £5,373.40
- Tricast – £3598.66
Recap
Lord Accord, Manothepeople and Threeunderthrufive made their way to the head of affairs in the early stages, closely tracked by the well-backed Your Own Story. Nicky Henderson’s Dusart, meanwhile, jumped erratically from the off and soon looked up against it.
Little change in the order heading out into the second circuit, with Manothepeople hugging the inside rail in front. Empire Steel had been pushed up into third, whilst Kitty’s Light was travelling notably sweetly in midfield – sitting far closer to the pace than in many of his previous outings. Flash Collonges was beginning to make a move on the outside when coming down at the 19th, bringing down Dusart in the process.
Turning for home, Manothepeople still held the lead but was beginning to tire. Magna Sam was the first to sweep by, finding himself a length up at the second last. However, the closers were beginning to find their stride in behind, led by Kitty’s Light and Coopers Cross. The pair powered past Magna Sam after the last, with Kitty’s Light drawing away close home for a three-length success.
It was back-to-back wins for Christian Williams, who registered a one-two in the race in 2022. For Jack Tudor, this was a first success in the race and a second big race success of the season aboard Kitty’s Light, with the pair having previously teamed up to winning effect in the Eider Chase at Newcastle.
Runners
- 1. Dusart – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Nico de Boinville
- 2. Threeunderthrufive – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Adrian Heskin
- 3. Monbeg Genius – Non-runner
- 4. Empire Steel – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Sandy Thomson, Jockey: Ryan Mania
- 5. Elvis Mail – Non-runner
- 6. Kitty’s Light – SP: 4/1JF, Trainer: Christian Williams, Jockey: Jack Tudor
- 7. Malina Girl – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: Sean Flanagan
- 8. Undersupervision – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- 9. Ruthless Article – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Rebecca Curtis, Jockey: Tom Bellamy
- 10. Lord Accord – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Neil Mulholland, Jockey: Richie McLernon
- 11. Flash Collonges – SP: 17/2, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 12. Cooper’s Cross – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Stuart Coltherd, Jockey: Sam Coltherd
- 13. Cap Du Nord – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Christian Williams, Jockey: Nick Schofield
- 14. Flash De Touzaine – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Liz Doyle, Jockey: Richard Deegan
- 15. Manofthepeople – SP: 9/1, Trainer: Fergal O’Brien, Jockey: Paddy Brennan
- 16. Famous Bridge – Non-runner
- 17. Your Own Story – SP: 4/1J, Trainer: Lucinda Russell, Jockey: Derek Fox
- 18. Waitnsee – Non-runner
- 19. Magna Sam – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Alastair Ralph, Jockey: Alex Edwards
- 20. Mighty Thunder – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Lucinda Russell, Jockey: Patrick Wadge
- 21. Flower Of Scotland – Non-runner
- 22. Half Shot – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Iain Jardine, Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
- 23. Small Present – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Sue Smith, Jockey: Sean Quinlan
Non Runners
Elvis Mail (unsuitable ground), Famous Bridge (unsuitable ground), Flower Of Scotland (unsuitable ground), Monbeg Genius (unsuitable ground), Waitnsee (vet’s certificate)