racing_news/

Merigo Regains Scottish Grand National Crown
21/04/12

1 Merigo 15/2
2 Auroras Encore 25/1
3 King Fontaine 40/1
4 Ballyfitz 33/1
NR: Captain Americo (IRE)
24 ran Distances: hd, 15l, 9l
TIME 8m 4.30s (slow by 2.30s)

Cheers normally reserved for a Cup final winning goal echoed around Ayr Racecourse on Saturday afternoon when Merigo crossed the line a head in front of a gallant Auroras Encore in the Coral Scottish Grand National.

Merigo
© Grossick Racing Photography

The gallant 11 year-old ridden by Timmy Murphy chased Auroras Encore up the home straight and was a length down jumping the last fence but rallied to mug Ryan Mania's mount as they passed the post.

It was a fitting finale to a great race and Merigo became the first horse since 1956 to win back the race having won it in 2010 and been runner up last year.

Tears flowed from an emotional owner Raymond Anderson Green accompanied by his wife Anita and daughter Verity wife of jockey Murphy.

Trainer Andrew Parker who is based in Eccelfechan near Dumfries summed it all up when he said : "That's eight times Merigo has run here and he's won five, been second twice and third once. He just comes alive here - he has the heart of a lion."

The well backed 15/2 shot even carried the support of First Minister Alex Salmond who quipped : "A Scottish winner of the National, the money is out of the bookies' satchels and the nation's finances have taken a turn for the better."

A crowd of 16,314 watched the action - the third highest attendance in 20 years and the sun shone the entire afternoon.

The chief supporting race, The Isle of Skye Blended Whisky Scottish Champion Hurdle went to Raya Star (15/2) in the hands of Robert 'Choc' Thornton who gave Alan King's horse a peach of a ride to win by three and a quarter lengths from Local Hero (11/1).

Leading owner Graham Wylie had a superb meeting with three winners on Saturday and one on Friday. His Saturday successes were Grandioso (5/1) in the opening hurdle race, Pacha Du Polder (11/4 fav) in the Arcadia Consulting Future Champion Novices Steeple Chase for the Vulmidas Cup and Doeslessthanme (100/3 fav) in the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase.

His Friday win came courtesy of The Knoxs (5/1), in the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase - the feature race of the day.

Largs owner Mrs Jo Tracey landed another Saturday highlight, The Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap Chase with the David Pipe trained, Tom Scudamore ridden Problema Tic (6/1) and top trainer Nicky Henderson landed a double with Cucumber Run (10/1) and River Maigue (10/11 fav) both ridden by Barry Geraghty.

Ayr Racecourse Sales and Marketing supremo Lindsey Smith commented : "What a wonderful two days racing - everyone enjoyed the action and we had great crowds."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Merigo A Parker	T J Murphy 10st 2lbs	15 - 2 Winner
2	Auroras Encore Mrs S J Smith	Ryan Mania 10st 11lbs	25 - 1 Head
3	King Fontaine J M Jefferson	Harry Haynes 10st 0lbs	40 - 1 15 lengths
4	Ballyfitz N A Twiston-Davies	David England 10st 0lbs	33 - 1 9 lengths
5	Fruity O'Rooney G L Moore	J E Moore 10st 13lbs	16 - 1 11 lengths
6	Garleton M A Barnes	A L Voy 10st 8lbs	40 - 1 1 length
7	Pettifour N A Twiston-Davies	S Twiston-Davies 10st 0lbs	33 - 1 9 lengths
8	Any Currency M Keighley	A P Cawley 10st 0lbs	25 - 1 7 lengths
9	Mac Aeda J M Jefferson	R P McLernon 10st 0lbs	20 - 1 5 lengths
10	Portrait King M Phelan	D F O'Regan 10st 8lbs	10 - 1 8 lengths
PulledUp	Junior D Pipe	T Scudamore 11st 12lbs	14 - 1
PulledUp	Benny Be Good K G Reveley	J Reveley 11st 3lbs	25 - 1
PulledUp	Walkon A King	R Thornton 11st 2lbs	16 - 1
PulledUp	Knockara Beau G A Charlton	Jan Faltejsek 11st 1lbs	11 - 1
PulledUp	Galaxy Rock Jonjo O'Neill	A P McCoy 10st 12lbs	9 - 1
PulledUp	Harry The Viking P F Nicholls	R Walsh 10st 11lbs	6 - 1
PulledUp	Ikorodu Road M Sheppard	C Poste 10st 9lbs	12 - 1
PulledUp	Quentin Collonges H D Daly	A Tinkler 10st 2lbs	8 - 1
PulledUp	Mostly Bob P J Hobbs	R Johnson 10st 1lbs	25 - 1
PulledUp	Be There In Five N J Henderson	Felix de Giles 10st 0lbs	16 - 1
PulledUp	Our Island Tim Vaughan	D C Costello 10st 0lbs	22 - 1
PulledUp	Abbeybraney G Bewley	Brian Harding 10st 0lbs	33 - 1
PulledUp	Etxalar Miss Lucinda V Russell	C I Gillies 10st 0lbs	100 - 1
PulledUp	Heez A Steel G A Charlton	P F Mangan 10st 0lbs	100 - 1
NonRunner	Captain Americo J Ewart	R McGrath 10st 0lbs	-

Coral SGN Facts

• The Scottish Grand National was first run as the West of Scotland Grand National at a course near Houston, Renfrewshire from 1858 until 1866
• The course in 1858 consisted of 32 jumps, mostly stone walls
• In 1867 after objections from the minister of the Free Kirk of Houston the race moved to Bogside, Irvine and was still known as the West of Scotland Grand National
• The first winner at Bogside was The Elk, owned by the Duke of Hamilton and ridden by John Page
• In 1869 Hunstman become the first and only Irish trained winner of the race
• In 1880 the race title was changed to The Scottish Grand National and was won by Peacock
• Charlie Cunningham, known as Scotland's greatest jockey, won the race four times in 1881, 1885, 1887 and 1889
• The winning horse in 1867 won £100, increasing to £440 by 1906, £1030 ion 1950, £5,436 in 1963 and this year's top prize is £102,618
• The first television coverage of the Scottish National was in 1953 on BBC and it was also shown in 1954 but then wasn't screened again until 1969 on ITV and it has been shown live ever since and moved to Channel 4 in 1986
• In 1966 the race moved to Ayr when Bogside closed and the first winner was African Patrol trained at Selkirk by Bobby Fairbairn and ridden by Johnny Leech
• Red Rum won the Scottish Grand National in 1974 just a couple of weeks after landing his second Aintree success
• Five horses have won the race twice the most recent being Androma in 1984 and 1985
• Richard Johnson has ridden in the race 13 times but never won, he has finished third on four occasions and fourth twice
• Merigo became the first Scottish trained horse to win the race since Cockle Strand in 1982