Takingrisks pulls up in Grand National
Takingrisks and Looking Well
Cumbrian-trained horse Takingrisks failed to complete the Grand National today, pulling up at the back of the field just before the 18th.
Trained by Greystoke trainer Nicky Richards, Takingrisks is owned by Langwathby-based Frank Bird.
Takingrisks was bidding to become the first 12-year-old to win the worldâs greatest steeplechase since Amberleigh House in 2004.
Having won the Scottish National in 2019, Takingrisks then sprang a 40-1 surprise in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster in January and was partnered by Sean Quinlan, who is based at Bolton, near Appleby.
The Grand National was won by Minella Times and jockey Rachael Blackmore â the first female to win the world-famous race.
Grand National chance for Cumbrian-trained horse Takingrisks
Takingrisks and Looking Well
Two Cumbrian-trained horses will be taking part in the prestigious Aintree Festival – which includes the Grand National –Â this week.
And Greystoke trainer Nicky Richards says he hopes they have both got good each-way chances at the racecourse.
Nicky is planning to run Looking Well and Takingrisks at the three-day meeting, which gets under way tomorrow and culminates with the world famous Grand National steeplechase on Saturday.
He said: “Aintree is completely different to anywhere else. They will both need luck in running.”
Grand National-style fences, which had been built at the Greystoke yard in order to give them both a feel for the obstacles which they are set to encounter this week, were due to be taken down yesterday.