Jack Tudor © Photo Healy Racing
King Turgeon galloped on strongly to run out a deserved winner of the BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree.
David Pipe’s six-year-old had won by 10 lengths at Chepstow on his seasonal reappearance and took up a prominent position early on under Jack Tudor over the National fences.
They gave way to Frero Banbou for a while after the sixth last, but King Turgeon was back in front heading towards the final two obstacles and put in a couple of fine leaps to build up a decisive advantage.
The 9-2 chance ran right the way through to the line to score by three and a quarter lengths from the fast-finishing Vintage Fizz.
Tudor said: “He travelled round really nicely and jumped really well. It was great fun.
“He got passed going down by the Canal Turn, but it was good that I kept my place on the inner and I was able to take a breath and save my energy.
“From turning in to the line, all he has done is keep galloping. He has always been a good jumper and if he took to these fences, that was going to be his asset today.
“He is a French-bred horse and sometimes they can take a while to adapt and he’s still only six, so is probably just starting to come into himself and come round to the British way of racing.
“It was a great thrill to get my first winner over the Grand National fences – they are always good fun to ride over especially when you get a good spin.”
Pipe added: “I am thrilled. It is brilliant for everyone in the yard. This is a massive win on a big Saturday for Pond House and his owners (Somerset Racing).
“We had this race in mind for him for a while and if he took to the fences like he does to normal fences, then he had a chance. He had schooled well over a Grand National fence at home.
“It was a fantastic ride by Jack.”
Jedd O’Keeffe was delighted with Vintage Fizz’s effort in second and is already looking forward to a return visit to Aintree in the spring.
He said: “That was an absolutely outstanding run for us and really exciting.
“He was given a lovely ride (by Conor O’Farrell) and got into a lovely rhythm. It was a race we had wanted to target for some time and we have got lucky as he is basically a goodish ground horse and in other years he wouldn’t have been so lucky – I think it was heavy last year.
“We just sneaked in at the bottom and he jumps boldly, as well as athletically and carefully, so this was a race we always fancied having a go at.
“The Topham Chase in the spring and this race again next year would be his targets if he gets his ground again. The Becher Chase would be too far for him, so he’ll have his holiday now and come back in the spring.”
