Sam Waley-Cohen will ride Black Thunder in the Crabbie's Grand National
Thursday 7 April 2016 19:17, UK
Sam Waley-Cohen will ride Black Thunder in the Crabbie's Grand National on Saturday after the Paul Nicholls-trained chaser was sold at the Aintree sales to a syndicate that includes his father, Robert.
The top amateur, who has a tremendous record at Aintree and was second on Oscar Time in 2011, is able to ride despite serving a seven-day suspension, following an about-turn by the authorities amid confusion about his eligibility that centred around a race restricted to conditional and amateur jockeys on the same day.
"I've bought him with three other people, so we've got a quarter each. We have a quarter of the bills and 100 per cent of the fun," said Waley-Cohen senior.
"The National is great, but we're actually looking to next season with him. We hope to have a lot of fun with him. He's nine years old with a very good record.
"He was a cracking good novice and has probably got a bit high in the handicap, but after the National he'll have a summer out and we'll start again.
"Sam rides him."
The purchase price was £90,000 and means that Gavin Sheehan, who had been booked by Nicholls to ride the horse, will now miss out.
