'I've enjoyed every minute of it' - Mark Grant retires from race-riding

Mark Grant said he had enjoyed "every minute" of a career spanning 23 years after leaving the weighing room for the final time having partnered Count Meribel to finish sixth in the 2m5f handicap chase.

The 39-year-old moved to Britain from Ireland in 2006, riding for the likes of Andy Turnell, Jim Old and Jo Hughes, and enjoyed his most memorable day when Count Meribel won at Cheltenham in November 2018.

For the past five years he has combined riding with his burgeoning pre-training business that includes preparing yearlings for the breeze-up sales.

"We've got 20-odd horses in at home and the business is going well but I just haven't time to do everything," said Grant, who started his career as an amateur rider in Ireland

"I've enjoyed every minute of it. I had 50 or 60 point-to-point winners before I turned conditional and had a great time riding for David Wachman in Ireland.

"It was a bit difficult coming here with no claim but I got my head down and worked away at it. I always enjoyed it and was determined to do it. I've still got the connection with Jim Old and he's been a great mentor to me all the way through."

Delighted to have called it a day on the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Count Meribel, Grant added: "He has been good to me over the years and I thought he was a good one to finish on. When you're riding a nice horse like Count Meribel it keeps you going.

"It was a great day when he won at Cheltenham and that was probably the highlight."

Victory in the race went to Eritage, who completed a double on the card for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden following the earlier success of Hell Red.

Schooling has gone well for Bristol De Mai and Daryl Jacob ahead of next Saturday's Grand NationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Jacob still smiling

Daryl Jacob has not stopped smiling since schooling Bristol De Mai over a line of Grand National-style fences last week and Our Surprise kept his spirits up with a bloodless success in division two of the 2m2½f maiden hurdle.

Like Bristol De Mai, the Harry Fry-trained Our Surprise is owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and was getting off the mark at the third time of asking under rules.

"Our Surprise is a nice type of horse and I think we've got a little bit more improvement to come," said Jacob, who is hoping for some ease in the ground at Aintree for the National.

Speaking to Sky Racing, he added: "I can't wait! If they get a little bit of juice that'll get it good to soft and I'll be a very happy man on Saturday morning."

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