Takingrisks lands 40/1 Sky Bet Chase shock at Doncaster
The old veteran Takingrisks won the Sky Bet Chase at the age of 12 after a tenacious performance in the Doncaster mud on Saturday.
Nicky Richards’ former Scottish National winner has stamina in abundance and that quality came to the fore as he landed a 40/1 shock.
There was no fluke about it, however, as he beat two younger, progressive, in-form horses in Aye Right and Cap Du Nord who were first and second jumping the last.
Takingrisks was building up momentum on the outside by that point and Sean Quinlan delivered him with a late challenge to win the prestigious £75,000 handicap.
"All he's done is stay and he's winged the last then galloped all the way to the line," Quinlan said.
"Aye Right was second in a Hennessy and I thought was the horse to beat, but Nicky's done a fantastic job with this horse.
"The plan was the Scottish National and to take in a race or two on the way."
Richards said: “I thought he’d run a good race.
“I thought he was as good as anything in the race. Age might be a barrier to a lot of people, that he’s getting on a bit, but he doesn’t know how old he is and he doesn’t perform like an old-age pensioner.
“He got out of the gate lovely and got into a grand rhythm. Then it was starting to look like it was going to be a stamina test and I thought ‘we’re in business now’.
“He’s won three top-class handicap chases. He’s a lovely horse.
“I think time has slipped him past for the Grand National to be fair to him. I think he’ll probably go for the Scottish National. That will be the plan.”
Aye Right’s trainer Harriet Graham was left ruing her luck after hitting the bar in another big race.
She said: “It’s cruel to be second, he ran such a cracking race. In the Ladbrokes Trophy he was well beaten, but this time he could have done it.
“I thought for a minute he might just hold on, but he probably needs another two furlongs, he’s an out-and-out stayer.
“Callum (Bewley) dropped his whip and he’s upset, but that’s racing and there will be a big one in him.”
Christian Williams was satisfied with the effort of third-placed Cap Du Nord.
He said: “He ran a great race. I’m delighted. He travelled well and stayed well. I was pleased with him.”