Gray Dawning once again made a perfect comeback on the trip to better a fascinating duel with long-time leader Solness in the JCB Melling Chase at Aintree.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained Solness, who was moving up from two miles, took up her customary leading position and disputed an early lead with Gidleigh Park before asserting her authority in the back straight and moving clear by two lengths.
But Dan Skelton’s Gray Dawning, who finished fourth last in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, races enthusiastically, jumps well and is always waiting to take on his challenge.
Harry Skelton moved a 5-1 chance in front with two fences and he jumped into the lead at the end, but Solness refused to wilt and a thrilling battle ensued where Gray Dawning’s stamina resulted in a neck decision.
Commenting on the decision to return to 2.5 miles rather than competing over 3 miles at the Aintree Bowl on Thursday, Dan Skelton said:
“We came home two seconds short of the Gold Cup and didn’t win, so we had to box smart and felt it was the right thing to do to go back on the trip.
“We’re not wearing a cheek piece because he’s not authentic. It’s just a little extra for this trip. Even if you have a cheek piece, it’s probably better not to need it than not to need it.
“We felt he was really going to get the trip he needed. We saw two great horses going in the right direction and all the credit goes to Solness. What a great horse to stay on the lead until the end and run like that.
“It was our time after all and it was a great result for the phenomenal owner (Robert Kirkland). He’s had a bit of a rough go of it, but unfortunately his wife died a few weeks ago. He’s a very patient guy and everyone deserves to put in the effort from time to time and he’s done his job.
“He’s been a great horse and now he knows how to do the big dance. We’re not good enough to win the Gold Cup, but we can do other dances.”
Jockey JJ Slevin said he was proud of Solness’ defeat, saying: “It was a great game, Joseph brought him here in great form.
“I knew he would keep fighting and to be fair he did, but the winner is a good horse.
“He was a very good horse that day.”
Henry de Bromhead said Ryanair Chase winner Heart Wood was the 6-5 favorite to finish third.
“He’s probably always been two and a half or three miles bigger than two or two and a half horses, but he’s held up really well.
“We’ll be going to Down Royal over three miles early next season and we’ll look into that now. He’s had a fantastic year. We obviously want to win, but he’s had a great season.”
Jo Tizzard was also delighted with JPR One’s fourth place finish, saying: “He ran another great race but was a bit shy in Grade One.
“He’s had a great season, and it’s unfair to call him a funny horse because he’s better than that.
“But he got 160 points, which is a lot of weight considering his handicap.”
Gold Dancer fatally injured in Aintree victory
It’s a connection reflected in Gold Dancer’s “empty victory” after he suffered a fatal injury while winning the William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase.
Joint 100-30 favorite for Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old donned the Gigginstown House Stud colors and had a thrilling duel with Regent’s Stroll from a distance.
gold dancer
Gold Dancer saw him off at the penultimate fence at home, and while he stretched out on landing after a bad mistake at the end, he went on to score by four and a quarter.
But when the car was pulled over it was soon clear that the winner had suffered serious injuries and although the course’s veterinary team quickly rushed to his aid, they were unable to save him.
“Unfortunately he broke his back and they knocked him out,” said Eddie O’Leary, of Gigginstown.
“Paul said he made one mistake and didn’t feel anything and continued on to the line without any problems, unfortunately when he got pulled over.
“It was an unbelievable performance. He jumped brilliantly even with one small mistake.
“Now it’s an empty victory. The poor horse didn’t deserve it.”
Regent’s Stroll was a clear second and his trainer Paul Nicholls said:
“I’m really excited because he’s going to be a finished knight next year.
“He runs three miles, but in the summer, if he can control the wind, he can finish stronger.”
His jockey Harry Cobden added: “Hopefully he can continue to improve, pick a good handicap like the Hennessy (Coral Gold Cup) and potentially run in the King George. I was very happy for him.”
Salver, another co-favorite, stayed late and finished third.
