'Everything I've ever wanted' - Andrews lands the big one on Latenightpass

Thursday: Aintree

Trainer Tom Ellis was left "as emotional as he's ever been" as Latenightpass, ridden by wife Gina Andrews, captured the Randox Foxhunters', yet the secret behind the success came from an unlikely source.

A plan was hatched quickly in the aftermath of his second-place finish 12 months ago with Ellis's old schoolfriend Dan Skelton advising to avoid the temptation of Cheltenham and head straight here. This was the race Andrews was most desperate to win and ultimately she made it happen.

She got the the nine-year-old, owned and bred by Ellis's mother Pippa, to give it his all as he knuckled down to defeat the strong-travelling Cat Tiger, ridden by David Maxwell. As she crossed the line, Andrews stood in her irons and roared out to the returning Aintree crowd.

"This is everything I've ever wanted," the eight-time ladies' point-to-point champion reflected. "I've had a festival winner, but I've said for a long time now that this is the race I want to win.

"You never know if they're going to like it around here again, but he definitely did. David got close enough to keep pushing me on, I kept looking up and praying for the winning line and lucky it came soon enough."

Tom Ellis will be crowned champion point trainer for a fourth time at the end of the season, but the highlight of a fine campaign will undoubtedly be this day on the racecourse.

He said: "I can't tell you what this means, it's magical. We came so close last year. I'm great mates with Dan Skelton and the first thing he said to me was 'don't go to Cheltenham next year and you'll win'. What a piece of advice. To come here fresh has definitely paid off.

"To see my wife win the race of her dreams on a horse you've trained is absolutely amazing. This is as emotional as I've ever been, I'm speechless."

His Day comes

Evan Williams deflected the praise to owner-breeder Angela Rucker after everything came right for the talented but fragile The Last Day in the Grade 3 Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase.

Delivered with a late challenge by Adam Wedge, The Last Day overhauled Dancing On My Own close home to gain handsome compensation following his last-fence fall at Haydock last time.

The Last Day and Adam Wedge (left) on their way to victoryCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"Mrs Rucker must take a great deal of credit for this as he's been plagued with leg problems all his life; I send him there all broken up and she sends him back all new and shiny," Williams said.

"It's a massive thank you to her because a lot of work has been put into that boy today.

"He's always been talented and hasn't had his luck until today. He would have won well last time but for falling and we could have done without that, but he's done lots of schooling and it came right."

Punchestown option for Diamond

Strong market support for the Willie Mullins-trained Ashroe Diamond was justified in the Goffs-sponsored Mares' Bumper.

She went off half the odds of her morning price of 9-2 and Patrick Mullins always looked in control as she found plenty when put under pressure.

Patrick Mullins salutes the crowd as he wins the Mares' Bumper on Ashroe DiamondCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

That was the trainer's first win in the Grade 2, and Ashroe Diamond could head to the mares' bumper at Punchestown next.

"It's a little soon, but we'll have a look at it as there's nothing else for her. There's a good chance she'll go there," Mullins said.

Ireland's champion trainer also indicated she was likely to remain at two miles when sent novice hurdling next season.

Results, replays and analysis

Head over to our dedicated Grand National 2022 site for the latest tips and odds for the big race. Our leading horseracing tipsters share their Grand National tips and it's completely free!