Will The Wise wins Topham as tragedy strikes Gold Dancer / Photo: PETER POWELL - AFP
Will The Wise wins Topham as tragedy strikes Gold Dancer
Rising Irish star Conor Stone-Walsh warmed up for his first ride in the Grand National with victory over the fences on Friday, guiding home Will The Wise in the Topham Chase.
The second day of the Grand National meeting, though, was overshadowed by the death of Gold Dancer, who showed extraordinary courage to win the Grade One Mildmay Novices Chase despite breaking his back.
He had to be put down after being inspected by the racecourse vets.
Stone-Walsh added a first Aintree success to his maiden Cheltenham Festival victory as he showed a cool head, after being left in the rear at the start, to give Will The Wise a sublime ride.
"Unreal," said 19-year-old Stone-Walsh, who rides Final Orders in the National on Saturday.
"I remember, when we were kids, making Grand National jumps for our ponies, and it's massive to get a win over these fences."
Gold Dancer's victory was a bitter one for jockey Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins.
His hind legs gave way at the last fence but Townend managed to keep him upright and gently coaxed him over the line, before immediately jumping off.
"Gold Dancer was put down after he broke his back," said Eddie O'Leary, brother and racing manager of Gold Dancer's owner Michael O'Leary.
"We are terribly sorry for the horse but what could Paul Townend do?
"It was only when he pulled up he realised something was up."
There was a happier outcome in the next as Storming George sprang a surprise in the Grade One Novices Hurdle.
Jockey Jack Quinlan celebrated as if all his Christmases had come at once, rising out of the saddle and waving his whip even before he passed the line on the 16/1 chance.
It was trainer Neil King's first Grade One success, a huge boost to a stable which has only around 20 horses.
"How do I sum up 30 years hard work?" said King.
"We do it day in day out and after all that hard work to get this type of result..." said King choking back tears.
- 'Lift his spirits' -
For Quinlan it had been a long time between Grade One wins, his only previous one coming seven years ago.
"This is incredible!" said Quinlan.
"Neil has been a fabulous supporter of mine for a number of years, so to win this is absolutely mega!"
Dan Skelton is at the opposite end of the scale to King.
The son of Nick Skelton Britain's 2016 Olympic showjumping gold medallist is on course to be crowned champion trainer for the first time.
The tough as teak Grey Dawning, ridden by brother Harry Skelton, just held off Solness in a thrilling finish to the Grade One Melling Chase to give his trainer, who turned 41 on Thursday, a belated birthday present.
Harry's thoughts were for the owner Robert Kirkland.
"His wife passed away a couple of weeks ago so I dedicate this win to her," he said.
"He has been an unbelievable supporter of us and it is lovely to repay him with a winner and lift his spirits a little bit.
"This game is full of highs and lows, these horses give us so much and strangely always know when to help one when one is at one's lowest."
Zeus Power secured the final Grade One of the day, JJ Slevin riding him to victory in the Sefton Novices Hurdle for Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien.
The duo team up in the National with Banbridge.
O'Brien, who also has Jordans in the 34 runner field, would become the first trainer to win a Melbourne Cup and Grand National if either of his runners triumphs.
C.Robert--JdCdC
