Fred Bojangals (left), winning at Ayr in 2010 above, out of luck in Sweden
PICTURE: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)Favourite Bojangals only fourth in Grand National
Report: Sweden, Sunday
Stromsholm: Det 42. Svenskt Grand National (Chase) 2m6½f, turf, 5yo+
BRITISH-TRAINED Fred Bojangals was sent off 26-10 favourite to beat ten rivals from five other countries but could finish only fourth behind the German-trained winner Alanco (Elfie Schnakenberg/Cevin Chan).
Having his first run for Barbara Butterworth's Cumbria yard having been bought especially with this race in mind, Fred Bojangals came home 19 lengths adrift of the winner.
He was always prominent and took over from the leader, Monster Of Speed, soon after halfway but had no response when Alanco and Gelon quickened past him five out. From there he could just plug on to claim a minor share of the 300,000 kr prize-money.
Alanco, who finished second in this event last year, was the third winner of the Swedish Grand National in the last four years for trainer Elfie Schnakenberg, who also saddled the one-two in the race for a second successive year .
The winner had ten lengths to spare over runner-up Gelon, with local hope Amber Hill a further two lengths back in third. British-based jockey Liam Treadwell came home a distant fifth on the Czech Republic-trained Godea.
Also on Sunday
Stromsholm: Det 35. Svenskt Champion Hurdle 2m2½f, turf, 4yo+
BRITISH challenger Knight Valliant finished a six-length third to Norwegian-trained Omoto Sando (Arnfinn Lund/Henrik Engblom) and German challenger Nuevo Leon.
Patiently ridden towards the outside of the 11-strong field, the Butterworth-trained Knight Valliant made stealthy headway to lead on the run to two out.
However, he was soon under pressure to hold the advantage and was headed by the eventual winner approaching the last before losing second on the run-in.
Omoto Sando, widely regarded as the best hurdler in Scandinavia, had won this race in 2010, while runner-up Nuevo Leon had taken the prize 12 months ago.
Treadwell was also out of luck in this as he finished last of the nine finishers on another Czech Republic raider, Martien.
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