 Monet's Garden is a seasoned Aintree campaigner |
The Nicky Richards-trained grey Monet's Garden stormed to victory in Friday's Melling Chase, the feature race on day two of the Grand National meeting. Tony Dobbin's mount left Taranis trailing in second place, with the disappointing Well Chief in third.
The 4-1 chance was always travelling strongly and took up the running as the field approached the third-last fence.
Dobbin kicked on at that point leaving his rivals behind and he went on to win by three and a half lengths.
Well Chief went off as the 4-5 favourite but although he jumped well early on, he tired late in the race and faded into third, nine lengths behind Taranis.
A delighted Richards said: "Tony knows him very well and when he lines up to a fence he really operates.
"He dehydrated at Kempton in the King George, there's no doubt he did. When he's good, he's a very good horse.
"I suppose there was a bit of a doubt if Well Chief was going to stay. Our lad got it right and it's our day today."
Dobbin added: "He scoped badly after disappointing at Cheltenham but he's a very good horse. He's a good jumper and has been from day one."
John Smith's Melling Chase (2m 4f)
1. Monet's Garden (Tony Dobbin) 4-1
2. Taranis (Ruby Walsh) 5-1
3. Well Chief (Timmy Murphy) 4-5f
6 ran. Dist: 3�, 9
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Interview: Monet's Garden jockey Tony Dobbin