'He's been a star ever since we've had him' - Dingo Dollar win delights Thomson

Sunday: Aintree

A chance spare ride in the veterans' chase proved a successful one for Conor O'Farrell after he delivered Dingo Dollar from well off the pace for an ultimately decisive victory.

In a race of changing complexion in the home straight, Dingo Dollar overcame an in-running high of 251-1 on Betfair to overhaul long-time leader Wishing And Hoping by eight and a half lengths.

O'Farrell, who replaced the injured Ryan Mania, was an appropriate winner of a race named in honour of course legend Vieux Lion Rouge, who the jockey rode in the second of his Becher Chase wins in 2020.

Last seen in action unseating in the Grand National in April, Dingo Dollar will be campaigned differently this term.

"He's been a star ever since we've had him," said trainer Sandy Thomson. "We decided to go for the National last season and it messed up the season completely and there are no plans for the National this time.

"They went a good pace and I thought they might stop and they did. He used to have to bowl along in front, but now he's quite happy to sit in and Conor gave him a brilliant ride.

"There's a veterans' chase at Haydock, which could be a plan, and we might look to the final. The Scottish National would be a target at the end of the season."

O'Farrell added: "He jumped so well and he's outstayed everything else. I'm only keeping the saddle warm for Ryan and it's a great start to the season for the horse."

Mania returned from a broken right foot for one ride at Carlisle on Thursday, but was taken off his rides at Kelso on Saturday. He is hoping to be back at Ayr on Saturday, according to Thomson.

The race was marred by the death of former high-class staying hurdler If The Cap Fits, whose finest moment came in the 2019 Liverpool Hurdle here for trainer Harry Fry, following a fall on his first start for the David Pipe yard.

Six of the best

Kinondo Kwetu was prolific over the summer and the change to the core season did not check his progress as he racked up his sixth straight win in the 3m1f novice handicap.

A first Aintree winner for trainer Sam England, the Gunalt Partnership-owned six-year-old extended his unbeaten record over fences to five in a race diminished as a jumping contest by the low sun.

The three fences in the home straight were taken out and Kinondo Kwetu produced a turn of foot on the long run-in to deny the front-running Your Own Story under Jonathan England.

"Today was definitely his best performance," said the jockey. "The handicapper put him up 8lb for Uttoxeter and he's had to dig really deep.

"He wouldn't want proper winter soft ground and we could mind him for a big target in the spring is an option, but at the same time we don't want to stop a horse who's in good form."

Right decision

Fergal O'Brien made an unpopular decision to bypass Cheltenham with Peking Rose and it paid off as the seven-year-old won the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

Paddy Brennan had to be at his strongest in the silks of the Coln Valley Partnership as the 5-2 favourite fended off A Different Kind by a short-head.

"I was under a lot of pressure as everyone wanted to run at Cheltenham and all his owners were there yesterday," said O'Brien. "I stood my ground and thankfully they listened to me so that was great. He's tough and Paddy gave him a lovely ride."

Results, replays and analysis

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