Charlie Longsdon insisted it is “exciting times” ahead for Snow Leopardess, who put his nerves to rest when continuing her preparations for an outing in the Randox Grand National at Aintree with an emphatic victory in the Virgin Bet Mares’ Chase at Exeter.
Having secured Grade Three glory on debut over the Grand National fences in the Unibet Becher Handicap Chase in December, the 10-year-old mare set up a return to Aintree with a clear cut success in the 3m Listed prize.
Racing right-handed for the first time since scoring at the same level in a bumper at Gowran in 2016, the daughter of Martaline proved a class above her rivals when demonstrating once again that stamina is very much her forte.
Taking command of matters jumping the third last the Evens Favourite continued to pull further clear under Johnny Burke before crossing the line 12 lengths clear of last year’s winner Momella.
Following the success, Paddy Power trimmed Snow Leopardess to 20/1 from 25/1 for the Grand National, with Sky Bet 14/1 (from 25s), and Longsdon confirmed all roads lead to Aintree in April.
He said: “These things are nerve-racking. The handicapper advised us to roll the dice one more time as we were borderline getting into the Grand National but you potentially risk all doing that.
“She has done it nicely today and ground it out. She only got going down the home straight and I don’t think she enjoyed being stuck behind loads of horses. She won a bumper going right-handed around Gowran Park but it is her first run since going that way.
“She showed a bit of class but she has had a hard race. We thought this was the perfect race for her. She was meant to win the race and she did win the race.
“I was more nervous about this race as she was expected to win. There is always an element of lottery over the Grand National fences.
“That might be it until Aintree now. We thought about giving her a run in a veterans’ qualifier at Newbury in three weeks’ time but that looks like it will come too soon. It was hard ground hard conditions today but she won.”
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Although Snow Leopardess only scored by a nose in the Becher Chase, the Hull Farm Stables handler feels that the extended four and a quarter-mile trip in the Randox Grand National will bring out the best in her.
He added: “They all say she got tired in the Becher Chase but that was her being lonely. She wants every inch of a marathon trip. She does want slower ground and that would be my only concern that if it did come up good ground at Aintree we would miss it.
“The Becher Chase was like this weather today, as was Haydock last season so it is funny that she has had the right weather when she has needed it.
“It is fantastic to have another Grand National contender and she will be one of the top-priced English horses in the race. It is great and exciting times.”
A total of 13 mares have won the Randox Grand National, although none since Nickel Coin back in 1951.
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