Sunday 9 April 2017 15:03, UK
Amateur rider Jamie Codd reflected on an "unbelievable experience" the morning after steering Cause Of Causes into the runner-up spot in the Randox Health Grand National.
Codd is well established as one of the sport's leading amateurs and has struck up a fantastic relationship with the Gordon Elliott-trained Cause Of Causes, partnering him to victory at the Cheltenham Festival in each of the last three years.
Owner JP McManus let him keep the ride in Saturday's Aintree spectacular and Codd did not let him down, enjoying a fantastic first ride in the race by finishing a clear second behind One For Arthur.
"He's an incredible little horse. To win at three Festivals and be second in the Grand National is fantastic and he gave me some spin," said Codd.
"It couldn't have gone any better barring winning the race. We can't have any complaints and we just bumped into one on the day."
The last amateur to ride the winner of the world's most famous steeplechase was Marcus Armytage aboard Mr Frisk in 1990.
Codd briefly felt it could be his day in the latter stages of the four-and-a-quarter-mile contest before realising he would have to settle for minor honours.
"I suppose facing into the second-last I thought we had a chance, but when the eventual winner loomed up on the run to the last I kind of felt he had plenty of horse left," he added.
"Our lad ran a great race in defeat and is back in one piece. He's still only a nine-year-old so hopefully there are other big days in him.
"It was an amazing day and a unbelievable experience for me as an amateur. I'm 35 now, so to have it down on the CV that I've ridden in the Grand National is brilliant."
The owner's racing manager, Frank Berry, confirmed Cause Of Causes will be given a summer break before being brought back next season, when a return to Cheltenham in March will be top of his agenda.
He said: "It was an unbelievable run. The horse has run a blinder and Jamie has given him a great ride.
"There were no excuses - he was just beaten by a better horse on the day. You could only be pleased with him.
"He came there with his chance at two out and I would just say he has been outstayed. Gordon Elliott has done a wonderful job with him to keep him in great shape. That is him done for the season.
"He will probably go up a few pounds for that. We will see what happens but I would say that the cross-country race at Cheltenham will be his long-term target and then we will take it from there.
"He is a great little horse and they don't come around too often. When they do you have really got to enjoy them."
Cause Of Causes was one of three runners in the race for McManus, who memorably claimed National glory with the Sir Anthony McCoy-ridden Don't Push It in 2010.
Anthony Honeyball's Regal Encore ran with credit to finish eighth, but the well-fancied More Of That, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, was pulled up after travelling well for a long way.
"Regal Encore was a bit keen early on but from halfway he jumped really well and stayed on well near the end. We might look forward to going back there with him next year," said Berry.
"That is more than likely him done for the season but we will see how he is and how he comes out of it.
"I don't think More Of That's result was down to his jumping. Barry (Geraghty) said he gave him a great ride round there, but he just didn't get home. From the Canal Turn he said he was struggling a bit. It was definitely disappointing on the day.
"I'd say we will start off in the autumn and go down a similar route and see where he goes."
Tom George is considering taking the hunter chase route with Saint Are next season ahead of a fifth outing in the Grand National. The 11-year-old, who was runner-up to Many Clouds two years ago, finished an admirable third on his fourth attempt. George said: "Saint Are put up a good show and has run a great race. I suppose he would have preferred the ground to have been a little bit better as Davy Russell said he was never properly travelling. "Davy realised he had to pull something out of the bag to win it. He took the short route at Becher's Brook and saved a lot of ground all the way through. "He has stayed on very well at the end to get third and the horse has come back in one piece. This has been his target all year. "He looked good in the build-up to the race and he looked amazing on the day with the sun shining on him in the paddock. "He will go and have his summer break now but I see no reason why he shouldn't have another go. Big Fella Thanks, who is 15, showed that age is just a number when running well in the Foxhunters' on Thursday. "To be honest, I've not discussed it with the owner where we would start him yet but it dawned on me last night that it might be worth going down the hunter chase route next season. "He didn't win any races this year so he should be eligible for hunter chase races next season. He will need a couple of runs before the National and that might be an easier route for him." George also saddled Double Shuffle, who was pulled up before the second-last. "I think it was a case of his stamina not kicking in. He is only a young horse and I am not sure whether the National is what he is about," the trainer added. "He is almost out of handicaps now as he is rated 152. He might be the sort of horse to start off in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby as he has got that bit of class. "He will improve for another summer on his back." Nigel Twiston-Davies feels Blaklion can only improve for his first experience over the Aintree fences. Despite having never previously tackled the famous obstacles, the eight-year-old, who was sent off the 8-1 favourite, looked the likely winner after shooting clear from the third-last. Last year's RSA Chase winner was eventually reeled in, but stuck to his task to finish an admirable fourth, leaving the Naunton handler looking forward to the 2018 renewal. He said: "Blaklion is fine this morning and that is the main thing. It looked like he was going to win it for a moment but he didn't quite get home. "Noel (Fehily) was pleased with him and he jumped very well. That's him done for the season now. "I would definitely say we will try again after that and I am sure he will improve after that run over them. "We would probably have a look at something like the Charlie Hall again to start him off, but we will just see how is at the time." The David Pipe-trained Vieux Lion Rouge was ante-post favourite for a long time. Although a well-beaten seventh in last year's renewal, the eight-year-old has since won the Becher Chase over the fences and landed the Grand National Trial at Haydock. But Pipe believes his gelding's lack of stamina over the marathon trip was exposed once again as he passed the post sixth. "He jumped and travelled well through the race, but a bit like last year, he just hasn't got home," said the Pond House handler. "I'd have thought he'll be going out in a field now for summer and we'll look forward to next season. "I'm sure the owners would love another go in a year's time, so we'll see what happens between now and then." Pipe, who won the National with Comply Or Die in 2008, was keen to praise winning trainer Lucinda Russell and her partner, Peter Scudamore, who was stable jockey to Martin Pipe for many years. "It's brilliant for Lucinda and Scu and all their team. I've been in that position and experienced what it's like and there's no better feeling," said Pipe. "It's great for Scotland and everyone involved, so well done to them." Last year's runner-up, The Last Samuri, came home 16th of 19 finishers this time around under top-weight of 11st 10lb. Trainer Kim Bailey said: "He's fine this morning. The two false starts wouldn't have helped him as he is a horse that can get a bit wound up. He obviously had a lot of weight as well. "Hopefully we'll have another go next year. Unfortunately I don't think he'll come down the weights much. "I wouldn't think he'll run again this season. There's only really the Whitbread (bet365) Gold Cup at Sandown and I don't think we'll be going there."
