School boy Willy Twiston-Davies was vindicated by winning the John Smith’s Fox Hunters at Aintree today (Thursday).
The 16-year-old had ridden a similar race on Baby Run in the Cheltenham equivalent last month, only to be unseated at the second last when the horse failed to pick up off a long stride.
This time, there were no such mistakes. Baby Run, the 3-1 favourite, was handy throughout the test over Aintree’s famous Grand National fences and took up the lead at the eighth.
The 11-year-old held off the challenge of 25-1 shot Boxer Georg on the run-in by three-quarters of a length.
“This is the best day of my life and it makes up for Cheltenham,” said an emotional Willy after the Aintree race, in which 10 of the 22 starters failed to finish.
His father Nigel, who owns and trains the winner, added: “I’m very, very proud of Willy and Baby Run’s a great horse.”
- Full report in H&H next week.
