Inothewayurthinkin (6-4 favourite) backed up his Cheltenham success with another in the opener, the Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhasset Memorial Mildmany Novices’ Chase, on Ladies Day at the 2024 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse.
Gavin Cromwell’s improving six-year-old won the Kim Muir Chase impressively at last month's Cheltenham Festival and stepping up to Grade One company for the first time at Aintree he scored again. It is a boost for Cromwell's Navan stable ahead of tomorrow's big race in which he will saddle last year's runner-up Vanillier and Inothewayurthinkin's full sister Limerick Lace, who will also carry the same JP McManus colours as her brother.
Now Cromwell is thinking about a return to Cheltenham next year for a crack at the Gold Cup, although Inothewayurthinkin will have to show he can compete in open company at the top level and brush up his jumping before then. Paddy Power initially cut the gelded son of 2005 Epsom Derby runner-up Walk In The Park to 10-1 from 20-1 for next year's blue riband at Cheltenham.
Under Mark Walsh, who will also partner Limerick Lace in tomorrow's Grand National, Inothewayurthinkin was in rear of much of the extended 3m contest as Ultima Handicap Chase winner Chianti Classico and Broadway Boy cut out the running. Despite one or two ponderous jumps and getting a little bit behind on the turn for home, Walsh got Cromwell's charge going in the home straight and he powered past rivals to eventually score by four lengths from similarly McManus-owned Iroko (9-2) – from the Cheshire stable of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero; with Heart Wood (5-1) and Rachael Blackmore a further length-and-a-quarter back in third.
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