Truckers Lodge ran out a convincing winner of the Midlands Grand National to cap a memorable week for trainer Paul Nicholls.
Sent off a 6/1 shot having been second in the Welsh equivalent when last seen, the eight-year-old always travelled and jumped well towards the head of affairs and took up the running a mile out.
Captain Drake briefly threatened to ask a serious question approaching the last, but got that fence all wrong and had to settle for second ahead of the front-running Joe Farrell.
Sheneededtherun took a distant fourth with Very First Time in fifth, but this was all about the winner, who had 18 lengths in hand at the line.
🚛TRUCKERS LODGE wins the Midlands Grand National 🏘️
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) March 14, 2020
⛴️ Big run from Captain Drake in second as master beats apprentice...pic.twitter.com/P8KhSw3CHG
Truckers Lodge was breaking new ground for 11-time champion trainer Nicholls, in a race which had previously eluded him.
His victory also paid a compliment to Welsh National winner Potters Corner, who is on course for next month's Aintree Grand National.
Harry Derham, assistant trainer to Nicholls, said: "He ran really well in the Welsh National and probably lacked a little experience for that run but he never missed a beat today.
"He jumped fantastically well and nothing went wrong. He was primed to the minute by Paul and I’m delighted for everyone involved."
Winning rider Lorcan Williams added: "It was an absolute thrill. I get on really well with the owners so I'm delighted to ride a big winner for them. He's a really progressive type and was foot perfect the whole way round."
