Willy Twiston-Davies vindicated by Aintree Fox Hunters win
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.
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Nicola was one of H&H’s longest serving staff members and knows her Section Ds from her Section As. Over the years she has written six horse books and articles on topics as diverse as legendary showing producers and the best hipflask tipples. Nicola is our chief sub editor, point-to-point and showing editor. Nicola left Horse & Hound for pastures news in 2014.