'All roads lead back to Aintree' - National winner Noble Yeats 12-1 for repeat
Monday: Wexford
Last season's Grand National winner Noble Yeats was cut to 12-1 favourite (from 16s) by Paddy Power for a repeat Aintree win after an impressive performance in the feature Listed chase.
Ridden for the first time by Sean Bowen, Robert Waley-Cohen's seven-year-old put in a foot-perfect round of jumping in the testing ground.
He saw off the challenge of odds-on favourite Run Wild Fred and readily repelled Gordon Elliott's second string Hurricane Georgie to win by four and three-quarter lengths.
It was a fine comeback from Noble Yeats after his season began with a poor effort at Auteuil two weeks ago when he was pulled up after an early mistake.
Trainer Emmet Mullins said: "That was a joy to watch. There weren't many anxious moments, everything went to plan.
"He's a very versatile horse and there is no plan as such. We still have plenty of options and he's still going the right way.
"Things didn't go right in France. He made a bad mistake early on and James Reveley did the right thing in pulling him up and leaving us with a horse for today. I imagine all roads lead back to Aintree."
Asked about the booking of Bowen, Mullins added: "The owners were keen to get someone to commit to the horse for the season.
"Sean had ridden a few for them before, he's flying in Britain this season, he's second to Brian Hughes in their championship, and he has a great record over the National fences. Robert certainly had his homework done there."
WIN hospitality for four on Gold Cup day at the Cheltenham Festival 2023! It's simple and free to enter – all you need to do is download our brand-new app, open the home screen and wait for the pop-up to make your entry. Download here.
Published on 31 October 2022inReports
Last updated 17:38, 31 October 2022
- Punchestown proves to be Fastorslow's playground yet again - but Galopin Des Champs should still be Gold Cup favourite
- Punchestown: Jody Townend stars as Redemption Day gives Mullins his 34th top-level victory this season
- Pontefract: 'We're in form, numbers are up and we've got Tyson Fury' - life's good for Holland as he trains first course winner
- Wolverhampton: 'We paid five grand for her' - bargain buy Gogo Yubari racks up fifth win for Dylan Cunha
- Ascot: 'Winning was a bonus I wasn't sure would happen' - Jasour back on song for Clive Cox with Group 3 success
- Punchestown proves to be Fastorslow's playground yet again - but Galopin Des Champs should still be Gold Cup favourite
- Punchestown: Jody Townend stars as Redemption Day gives Mullins his 34th top-level victory this season
- Pontefract: 'We're in form, numbers are up and we've got Tyson Fury' - life's good for Holland as he trains first course winner
- Wolverhampton: 'We paid five grand for her' - bargain buy Gogo Yubari racks up fifth win for Dylan Cunha
- Ascot: 'Winning was a bonus I wasn't sure would happen' - Jasour back on song for Clive Cox with Group 3 success