While there might not have been one horse that stood head and shoulders above its rivals this year, there were some dramatic finishes. Although, the French-trained Glenfarclas Cross-Country winner Easysland, on whom even Grand National hero Tiger Roll couldn’t land a punch, might be a candidate for the top title.
The two most unlikely winners going to the last were Champ in the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase and Burning Victory in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
Champ was eight lengths down as Minella Indo seemed to have finally mastered Allaho. Both had gone hard up front and, as they began to tread water, Champ – who had been nursed round the outside by Barry Geraghty – discovered his forte in life; stamina. As the other two stopped, he stayed on and, in the end, won by a comfortable length.
“I thought we’d run an honourable third and I was watching the front two when all of a sudden Champ appeared,” said trainer Nicky Henderson about the race that gave him his fourth winner of the meeting.
This story is from the March 19, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 19, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I've ever 'He's the best ridden'
Dannie Morgan wins three national titles and the next generation of dressage stars rise to the occasion as one title goes down to the wire
I Am Maximus hailed hero
The Grand National produces a triumph of sporting brilliance, with several fairy-tale endings
Evergreen mare takes top spot
Familiar faces take top honours, as eventers impress and new combinations win championship titles for the first time
A match made in Paradise
The 1,000 supreme titles are netted by a much-admired 138cm show pony and a consistent heavyweight hunter
McLean's dash north pays dividends
The Scottish rider picks up a raft of Highland qualifiers and there's an unusual jumping test in Somerset
Buy Some Time finds the winning factor
A six-yearold makes a welcome return to form and some unexpected fast ground produces an epic clash
A sash, at last!
Sarah Moy fulfils a lifelong ambition, a spooky superstar” retains a title and polocrosse provides a winning formula
A win for Cesar and Claire
The VWHs Claire King battles demanding going to take the Wynnstay hunt ride on honest and clever” Cesar Et Rosalie, reports Catherine Austen
Cognac
This \"Jekyll and Hyde\" ex-racehorse never said no to a fence and had a definite sense of humour
We've got each other's backs
As part of H&H's 140th anniversary this year, we are celebrating Britain's great horsey families with a series of interviews. In our second instalment, we speak to multi-medallist Gareth Hughes, his wife Rebecca and their daughter Ruby