Edwards and O’Shea land Randox Foxhunters’ Chase

Huw Edwards rode the Joe O’Shea-trained Gracchus De Balme to victory in today’s Randox Foxhunters’ Chase at Aintree.

In a race where British point-to-point riders filled five of the first six places the 22/1 winner – who is owned by Derek Malam – beat the Dan Skelton-trained Jet Plane (11/1) under Jack Andrews by a length. The Rob James-ridden Lifetime Ambition (5/1) finished third and best of the Irish contingent, one place ahead of the Ed Walker-trained My Drogo (5/1) under Will Biddick. A Jet Of Our Own and Eva’s Oskar gave Freddie Philipson-Stow and Ed Vaughan memorable spins in fifth and sixth.

When the tapes went up Master Templar led the field over The Chair, but Edwards (pictured above) and Gracchus De Balme were soon upsides and they held that prominent position as they turned for home. One of a clutch of horses who were upsides over the final two fences, Gracchus De Balme briefly conceded the lead to Jet Plane on the long run-in, but Edwards drove his mount back in front as they galloped from the Elbow to the line. Skelton rued his luck, pointing out that this was the third year in a row that one of his horses had finished runner-up in the race.

Cheshire-based O’Shea, who won the race with Cousin Pascal in 2021, said: “This is better than in ’21 because there was no one here [due to Covid restrictions] and this is in front of our home crowd. I said to Huw, ‘Get to the front jumping the water and over the Grand National start and you won’t see another horse’. I couldn’t see whether he managed that because of the sun, but I’m looking forward to watching the race again.

Winning trainer Joe O’Shea toasts Gracchus De Balme with champagne 

“I told everyone two years ago Huw is the best amateur riding. Nobody believed me. He’s not one thing, he’s all things – he listens to you and he says pressure is for tyres. I said to him, ‘I know there’s pressure today, but jump out and go’.

“Nothing bothers Huw. As we were going out of the paddock I got hold of his ankle and gave it a squeeze and said ‘C’mon you, now wake up’. That’s how cool he is, but he’s so good in a race.”

Edwards, who was winning the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase for the first time, said: “He jumped and travelled; I kept filling him up the whole way and he’s seen it out well. It’s brilliant. The start was a bit messy but he travels and jumps well so he took me there, and he was spot on the rest of the way. I could hear them coming, but I was too scared to have a look. He didn’t feel tired and just kept finding.

“Coming into the Elbow I thought I’d get beat, but he stayed on so well. My grandfather [Roy] rode in 12 Nationals and finished third once [on Peacetown, in 1964].

“I ride out for Joe most days and he does so well with his horses. It’s great – I can’t really believe it. The horse was cheap and to have come and done this – it’s brilliant. I don’t know what to think!”

*Gina Andrews, the multiple British champion rider, was taken to hospital in Liverpool for checks after Master Templar fell at Becher’s Brook. She was said to be conscious when leaving the course.