Stewarts House (burgundy, yellow sleeves) jumps soundly at Aintree
PICTURE: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)Stewarts holds off Linnel to land Grand Sefton
Report: Aintree, Saturday
Betfred Grand Sefton Handicap Chase 2m5½f, Grand National course
STEWARTS HOUSE just outlasted Linnel to take the Grand Sefton and deny a gamble on the runner-up.
However, there proved to be a sting in the tail for winning jockey Aidan Coleman who was banned for seven days for using his whip 11 times and forfeited his share of the £30,950 winning prize-money.
Linnel had looked keen for action, dumping jockey Paul Carberry at the start, but the runners were left wandering around as the low sun caused problems.
The delay allowed more money to pour on Linnel and once the cloud had arrived the runners sent off with last year's winner Frankie Figg at his exuberant best in front alongside Santa's Son.
Aidan Coleman: broke whip rules
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)Few got into the race and turning for home Stewarts House was poised to take the lead from a flagging Frankie Figgwith Linnel stalking.
Running into the last, Linnel held a slender advantage but he smashed through the fence which checked his momentum.
This gave Stewarts House, a one-time stablemate of Linnel but bought by new trainer Tim Vaughan in May, the advantage and switched to the inside rail Stewarts House edged clear.
But Linnel was not done and under a forceful ride from Carberry clawed back the leader inch-by-inch before being denied by the winning post.
Vaughan said: "I bought him for 11,000gns at Doncaster and I asked Dominic Walis and Steve Clarke to help me out by taking him - I said he would have a big day one day. I love all winners but it is special over those fences."
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