Happy anniversary for Pipe as Mr Big Shot struts his stuff

On the ten-year anniversary of his Grand National triumph with Comply Or Die, David Pipe was back in the famous winner's enclosure after the talented but fragile Mr Big Shot showed his exciting potential in the Grade 3 Gaskells Handicap Hurdle.

Absent for 11 months before a mid-division finish at Cheltenham, the Caroline Tisdall-owned seven-year-old was stepped up to an extended three miles for the first time and battled on gamely under Tom Scudamore to overhaul the hat-trick-seeking Now McGinty.

"He's quite inexperienced and has been fragile to train but has always had an engine," said Pipe. "We stepped him up in trip and it was great that he got it. He's battled on well and probably grew up a lot for Cheltenham last time out."

Before his long absence Mr Big Shot had won his first three starts and, judged on his size, there should be more to come over fences.

"He's a big horse and I'd imagine we'd go over fences next season," Pipe added.

After a relatively quiet season by the extremely high standards associated with Pond House, the victory – a 31st of the campaign for Pipe – was welcomed.

The trainer, who suffered a rare blank at the Cheltenham Festival last month, said: "We have less horses – and less runners means less chance of winners."

Runner-up Now McGinty, who faces a further ratings rise having gone up 15lb since his victory on his previous start, ran a cracker and trainer Stuart Edmunds is also looking to go chasing next season with the brother to Outlander.

There's no doubting Thomas

Champion jockey Richard Johnson got Thomas Patrick into a fine rhythm in the £75,000 3m1f handicap chase and brought him home a four-length winner.

The 3-1 favourite was a second winner from just four runners at the meeting for Tom Lacey, who also had a second and a fourth over the three days.

"Thomas Patrick is a very uncomplicated horse," the trainer said. "He gets into a nice rhythm in front. He made one mistake but Richard soon got him back into a nice rhythm.

"He's a super jumper who puts everyone to the sword in behind him and this ground plays to his strength. We'll have to wait and see where he goes, I'm not one for making big plans as horses take you there."

Johnson was impressed by the winner and, asked whether he could be a candidate for the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury next season, he said: "You have got to look at that sort of race or the Welsh National.

"He's a real out-and-out stayer. He jumps and he stays and he loves soft ground."

Havana hands Nixon biggest success

The thrills and spills continued after the Grand National with a dramatic finale to the meeting.

Katie Walsh looked poised to gain a measure of compensation for Baie Des Iles's eclipse in the big race as she led over the final flight on Scheu Time in the handicap hurdle restricted to conditional jockeys and amateur riders.

But her mount fell and badly hampered the chasing Dear Sire, leaving Havana Beat to come through and score under James Nixon.

The winning jockey admitted he had fortune on his side after an incident that left horses and jockeys unhurt but said: "I thought my mount had plenty left."

Nixon, 25, was delighted to ride the biggest winner of his career and said: "This is my home track, my parents live about a mile away, although I'm now with Robin Dickin."

Havana Beat was giving in-form trainer Tony Carroll a fifth winner from his last six runners.

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