'What a recovery!' - Sam Twiston-Davies performs acrobatics to avoid unseat
Master Tommytucker can sometimes be a tricky customer, especially when his jumping is concerned, and Sam Twiston-Davies got first-hand experience of that when performing a miraculous recovery on the ten-year-old in Friday's Marsh Chase at Aintree.
The race, better known as the Melling, was won by Fakir D'Oudaries, but before that Twiston-Davies had to call on all of his prowess and experience in the saddle – and maybe even a previous career as a circus performer – to keep the partnership together.
The pair were leading the seven-runner field and all appeared serene until the fourth when the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding pecked on landing, launching his rider – it seemed into – an early exit and thin air.
Marsh Chase: full result and race replay
As it happened
Twiston-Davies, with left leg way above his head, had other ideas and was able to get back into position.
"Oh what a recovery!" exclaimed ITV commentator Richard Hoiles.
"My word. Not great for technical merit over the fence, but top marks for artistic impression – I think his heel was over his ear then."
Master Tommytucker, who had fallen in three of his first four starts over fences, had been a reformed character this season, winning a Grade 2 and finishing second in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase last time, but he struggled to be fluent from then and was headed two out, beating just Notebook home.
If you want more on the 2021 Grand National . . .
2021 Grand National: the runners, the odds, the verdict
Grand National steamers: five horses who could shorten in the Aintree build-up
2021 Grand National: confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's big race
For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets
Published on 9 April 2021inReports
Last updated 18:14, 9 April 2021
- Cork: 'Hopefully she can progress a bit further this season' - Thunder Roll strikes in the Noblesse for Joseph O'Brien
- Perth: 'The further he goes, the better he goes' - Bretney makes all to land the Highland National
- Sandown: Lockinge potential aim for Charyn as Silvestre de Sousa revels in Group 2 win
- Doncaster: 'He could do a bit of damage on soft ground in a Group race' - Charlie Bishop excited as Balmacara defies penalty with ease
- Sandown: 'He's the main Derby horse at the moment' - Arabian Crown sparkles in Classic Trial
- Cork: 'Hopefully she can progress a bit further this season' - Thunder Roll strikes in the Noblesse for Joseph O'Brien
- Perth: 'The further he goes, the better he goes' - Bretney makes all to land the Highland National
- Sandown: Lockinge potential aim for Charyn as Silvestre de Sousa revels in Group 2 win
- Doncaster: 'He could do a bit of damage on soft ground in a Group race' - Charlie Bishop excited as Balmacara defies penalty with ease
- Sandown: 'He's the main Derby horse at the moment' - Arabian Crown sparkles in Classic Trial