13 April 2024 , 17:29
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Gordon Elliott again was left unable to do anything but praise “thorn in his side” that is Willie Mullins, after Delta Work found only I Am Maximus too good in the Randox Grand National at Aintree.
The two powerhouse trainers have long matched strides at the top of Irish racing, with Elliott having to settle for second in the Irish trainers’ championship on multiple occasions as well as on some of the biggest of British stages, including when Gerri Colombe chased home Galopin Des Champs in this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Elliott fielded seven in his bid for a fourth Grand National following Silver Birch (2007) and dual hero Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019), with particularly high hopes for Delta Work who was having a third crack at the race having finished third in 2022 and unseated his rider last year.
But as has been the story for much of the season, Mullins was a cut above the rest, with I Am Maximus coming home seven and a half lengths ahead of Delta Work, with fellow Elliott runner Galvin a further length back in fourth. While disappointed to be denied, Elliott hailed the both the efforts of his runners and the “exceptional” winner.
He said: “It just didn’t happen for us. No one remembers second, I don’t anyway.
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“Delta Work was awesome and Galvin is a warrior, I’m so proud of him and I’m so lucky with the horses I have. Delta Work was flying come here and I thought this was his year. He ran his race and just got beat by a better horse, that’s it.
“The winner is exceptional and Willie Mullins remains a thorn in my side.”
Delight for Willie Mullins (PA)Jack Kennedy was aboard Delta Work and added: “He ran a cracker, delighted with him. He made a couple of mistakes but travelled well and ran a great race.”
The gelding did not return to the winner’s enclosure and Elliott explained: “Delta Work didn’t come back in, but he’s fine, he just has a cut on a hind leg.”
It briefly looked as though Rachael Blackmore was going to add a second National to her historic first win aboard Minella Times three years ago when Minella Indo jumped the last in front, but she was overhauled on the run to the line, eventually coming home third aboard the 2021 Gold Cup winner.
She said: “It was a massive run, he’s some horse. He gave me a great ride around there and I felt for a split second we were going to do it, but then I blinked and I could see the green and gold (colours of owner JP McManus) flash by me in a shot.
“He was in against younger legs, but it was a brilliant run and congratulations to Paul Townend, JP and Willie.”
Paul Townend celebrates winning the Randox Grand National Handicap Chase aboard I Am Maximus (PA)Minella Indo’s trainer Henry de Bromhead admitted he believed another famous success could be on the cards – but he was nevertheless thrilled in defeat, with future plans for the 11-year-old yet to be discussed.
De Bromhead said: “He’s a warrior, isn’t he? Just brilliant. I’m delighted with him. I thought we were going to win it there for a second, he travelled so well for Rachael, she was brilliant and they were both brilliant together.
“To get horses like him is incredible, we’ve had so much fun with him. We’ll see about next year, we’ll enjoy today and see – he obviously owes us nothing and all we want to do is look after him. But I tell you what, the way he jumped round there he looked like he loved every minute of it.”
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De Bromhead also saddled Ain’t That A Shame to finish sixth for amateur rider and owner David Maxwell, who purchased the horse last month specifically to ride in the National.
He added: “David gave Ain’t That A Shame a super ride, he was brilliant on him the whole way. I’m delighted for him as he got such a thrill from it.”