Ballyandy, near side© Photo Healy Racing
Connections of Champion Bumper hero Ballyandy are still on cloud nine and excited by the prospect of their five-year-old contesting the Grade Two equivalent at Aintree today.
Following the gelding's Cheltenham Festival exploits last month, Steve Wignall, who fronts the Options O Syndicate, described his brave success as his best moment in racing on what was an "unbelievable day".
Having found himself shuffled back as the race began to unfold coming down the hill, Ballyandy had to dig deep when they turned for home and he made up plenty of ground to thwart the challenge of three Willie Mullins representatives.
Thoughts now turn to the Weatherbys Private Bank Champion Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race on Merseyside.
Wignall said: "What an incredible day - the way in which he won was unbelievable.
"Sam (Twiston-Davies) said that he got pushed back due to a horse tiring in front of him, but the manner in which he picked up afterwards was great - we thought we were struggling.
"Everyone was delighted and success sparked a fairly decent celebration."
Wignall is thrilled with the way Ballyandy has come out of the race as trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies seeks to add to his Aintree Bumper gains with Ballybolley (2014) and The New One (2012).
Wignall added: "The team are very happy with the way he has come out of the Cheltenham race and it's all systems go for Aintree now.
"We will probably put him away for a novice hurdling campaign after Aintree, but that is not confirmed, and it will be brilliant if he can follow in the footsteps of The New One - we are delighted and in this game you just never know."
Ian Williams runs Capeland, winner of his first start at Doncaster and runner-up in a Listed event at Cheltenham in January.
He said: "He probably has more speed than stamina, so Aintree should suit him. We would not want the ground to get too soft for him. He is a quality horse and we are looking forward to giving him this opportunity.
"His last run at Cheltenham was very good. He was going to go to the Cheltenham Festival but we decided to wait and hang on for Aintree.
"He is only a four-year-old so he gets a nice allowance. He is only a young horse and has had just the two starts, but we are in no rush with him."
