Double Seven and Alan Crowe© Photo Healy Racing
Numbersixvalverde's trainer Martin Brassil added another 'National' to his CV at Kilbeggan this evening when his Double Seven landed the Gigginstown House Midlands National Handicap Chase for owner J.P. McManus and jockey Alan Crowe.
The son of Milan battled well on the extended run-in (the final fence was omitted due to the low-lying sun) and recorded a two and a half lengths win over Wise Oscar The runner-up met interference bypassing that final fence, colliding with eventual third place Tom Horn (also in the McManus silks) in the closing stages. The Stewards later enquired into the incident but left the result unchanged.
Brassil, whose Numbersixvalverde won the 2006 Aintree Grand National, wasn't present but Crowe later stated “there wasn't much room (bypassing the last) and there was four of us vying for the same position.”
He added “I was talking to Martin (Brassil) this morning and to Frank Berry (McManus' Racing Manager) and they both told me he'd stay well and not be one bit worried about the trip. It's great to win a race like this and it's my seventh winner this season.”
Today's race sponsor Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud ran three horses in the 3m1f contest but none collected prizemoney. Ironically the €50,000 race will have given McManus, his chief rival in the race to be Champion Owner, an early season boost before the pounds and pennies are counted up come next April and May.
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
