(What good Friends: Nicholls, Ferguson and Walsh collect the Totesport Bowl on Day 1)
Commander won't make Friend's with other courses
Imperial Commander failed to re-enact winning ways yesterday as his Cheltenham form disappeared on the first day of the Aintree Grand National meet. Early morning support for What A Friend partnered by Ruby Walsh amidst growing concern over whether the Gold Cup winner could repeat success so soon in the Totesport Bowl forced the market to re-consider just how much faith lay in Imperial Commander.
Ruby Walsh took the race eventually on What A Friend, Imperial Commander having fallen earlier in the race after a series of blunders. It remains to be said that the horse just cannot win away from Cheltenham, anywhere else he remains a liability for his supporters. Not that the layers minded as they sent Imperial off a 5/4 drifting favourite. However Ruby's mount, the Paul Nicholls trained What A Friend dominated pre-race betting activity and the the knowledge that Nicholls removed the horse from Cheltenham especially to prepare for the Totesport Bowl allowed punters a rare opportunity to back the Nicholls/Walsh partnership at decent odds to land a double on the day after Big Buck's obliged in the opener. Paul Nicholls speaking after the race said "We decided to sit out the Gold Cup and it's worked out in the end. He could be in the mix for the Gold Cup next year but he's only seven and I think he's still improving".
Alex Ferguson was also celebrating as he shares ownership of What a Friend. The Manchester United manager was all smiles in the winners enclosure after the previous nights failings in the Champions League seemed a million miles away in the glorious Liverpool sunshine. Fergie said "Racing is a great relief from the stress of the day job and I'm delighted with this win".
The Foxhunters once again wreaked havoc on horses and jockeys as the gruelling test left few runners at the finish with favourite Baby Run, another Twiston Davies horse with his son Sam on board unseated the rider at the half way stage. Silver Adonis won the event at a hefty 50/1 ridden by Tom Weston.
Timmy Murphy took a crashing fall in the Red Rum Handicap Chase and it looked worrying for a while as he lay sprawled on the ground with stewards already re-directing the remaining runners, but after a short spell the jockey returned to his feet to the relief of spectators.
The opening day of this year's Grand National meeting lived up to expectations with the sun beating down on the racecourse, the party atmosphere and local finery on Liverpool Day. A double for Walsh and Nicholls and victory for Alex Ferguson in Liverpool was the story of day one but surely the locals who were shouting home the United Manager's horse had no knowledge it was his. Ricky Tomlinson however leading the famous Liverpool celebrities down into the parade ring provided the most daunting image of the day as he opened proceedings dressed in jockey's silks. Not what you would call a sight for sore eyes.
(Racing my arse: Ricky Tomlinson leads a cast of famous Scousers)
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