grand national 2008 /

Gwanako on Springs in Topham Chase
04/04/09

Paul Nicholls, having seen his hot favourite Master Minded beaten in the previous race, the John Smith’s Melling Chase, earned immediate compensation when five-year-old Gwanako jumped his rivals into submission for victory in the John Smith’s Topham Chase.

“Did you see how he was jumping"

BOTHAR NA DELIGHTS MULLINS

Willie Mullins saddled Bothar Na to finish third in an eventful renewal to the John Smith’s Topham Chase. The handler was more than happy with the performance of his nine-year-old, who was making his seasonal debut

“I’m delighted with Bothar Na. For his first run back this season, I’m absolutely thrilled with that run. He jumped from fence to fence and Paul (Carberry) gave him a super ride.

“I couldn’t see well from where I was, but I saw the horse stepping sideways a couple of times, at Becher’s Brook and the next one, Foinavon. He’s shown us before that he is very clever around here.

“He’ll roll onto Punchestown hopefully on the back of that run. I’ll enter him in anything from two and a half miles up to three miles and one or two furlongs in handicaps. He likes Punchestown and he’ll like the ground there.

“He is coming back to himself so there’s plenty to look forward to for a summer campaign. He may finish up the season at Listowel in September.”