 
 Summer came early to Scotland on Saturday April 18th. When the tartan turf of Ayr Racecourse was gilded with rare April sunshine. One of those racing days when you could just sense the scene was set for a dramatic race. The day that would see a new name on the historic board of winners of the Scottish Grand National run at Ayr since the demise of Bogside. Or would that board see a new name ,perhaps not. As 1997 winner Belmont King, bought for his owner Mrs Billie Bond "to be a good horse to race on television on Saturdays", had returned in an attempt to be the first horse since Androma to win the race twice. Belmont King, known as King of Scotland,in Paul Nicholls' Shepton Mallet yard, was set to carry 11 stone 10lbs ,just a few more pounds than last year. With Mick Fitzgerald in the saddle in place of the suspended champion Tony McCoy Belmont looked a picture in the paddock.He knew exactly where he was, this was his track and his race.His bold eye like a window into the mind of this mighty chaser. Tough as teak to look at and a resolution to match. Any horse beating him Belmont King today would know they had been in a battle for the National. The spring sunshine brought the best out of the magnificent noble chasers making their way around the paddock at Ayr. Very few woolly winter coats to be seen as each of the runners walked by forming into the parade in front of the stands. The wallets and purses of the huge crowd were opened and money thrown and the bookies like confetti at a wedding.Certainly no wedding to celebrate today but the crowd sensed a winner, their winner. Convictions ran strong as who would take the spoils after the four mile slog. Mountains of cash went for Stormtracker who was sent off the favourite and Baronet the second favourite who had ran a gallant third last year. To complete last year's first three home Samlee was lining up again only two weeks after slogging through the the mud to take third in the Aintree National. A timely reminder that the Scottish Grand National is no longer a race in the sticks but an event growing in status complete with fun fairs, side stall, a tented village and many trappings of Cheltenham and Aintree, the legendary Red Rum having won the race in 1974 and in recent years both Little Polvier and Earth Summit having won the Scottish National before going on to Aintree glory.
 Interested in expanding your business at home and abroad? This publication is being read by horse lovers all over the world. Contact us now for full details and our advertising rates.
Email: joy@field-galleries.co.uk or Click Here
The tension was building by the moment an the colours of turf history weaved their magic across the Craigie Course. Anne Duchess of Westminster's Lord of the West carrying the famous Arkle colours cantered down to the start closely followed by Brave Highlander carrying the colours of Nick Embericos made famous by Aldaniti carrying Bob Champion to one of the great Aintree wins. Colours of another Aintree national winner could be seen on Baronet the same as those carried by the huge Party Politics. Emotions were added into this melting pot of colours with the presence of the Scots trained Coqui Lane and Major Bell from Hawick in the Borders. Nahthen Lad and Idiots Lady trained by the Queen of the Nationals Jenny Pitman.Champion trainer Martin Pipe's Dom Samouri and Eudipe who had been placed in a Sun Alliance and Hennessy behind Suny Bay the David Nicholson trained grey Baronet ridden by injury ravaged Adrian MaGuire and the scene was set for the drama. The above mentioned being just a few of the 18 runners pressing against the tapes ready, tuned to the minute, restrained , desperate to unleash the raw power that only a race horse can. The starter Gerry Scott would take no nonsense. Having won an Aintree National himself on Meryman II he knew the tricks of the jocks. "Wait jockeys ,wait " Scott bellowed and then to unanimous roar they were off for the 1998 Stakis Casinos Scottish Grand National. With glory , a place in the history of the tartan turf and £65,000 in prize money waiting at the end. Into the first fence and the favourite Stormtracker was disputing the lead with Belmont King with Jenny Pitman's two Nahthen Lad and Idiots Lady in behind. Several fences later the field was powering into the home straight with little change up front, a long way to go but the crowd roared their approval as they jumped the plain fence in front of the stands and on past what would be the winning post, Idiots Lady still with the field but without a rider having parted company in the home straight, Overflowing River and the Scots trained Coqui Lane stalking through to dispute it now with Stormtracker and Belmont King ,the two greys Kamikaze and Dom Samouri whipping them in. A circuit covered and it was back again into the home straight with Scotlands Major Bell making a bold show and Nicholson's Baronet and Pipe's Eudipe making steady headway through the field. The birch is sent flying at the plain fence in front of the stands, but when the dust settles it is still Stormtracker, Belmont King and outsider Coqui Lane who dispute the lead. At the open ditch on the far side Belmont King takes it up from the fast fading Stormtracker, with Eudipe, Baronet, Nahthen Lad and Brave Highlander making stealthy headway. The roars from the crowd grow now as the runners round the top bend into the home straight for the final time. Could the courageous Belmont King hold on for a repeat of last years win? It was looking like it as he continued to repel his challengers. The roars from the crowd now like waves of sound taking over from the commentary. Over the open ditch with only one plain fence to jump Belmont King put in another bold jump to retain his lead by a length from Baronet with Eudipe staying on well on the stands side and Jenny's Nahthan Lad making a real bold show on the far rail. Galloping towards the last it was the Twiston-Davis trained Wisley Wonder who had sprouted wings and rocketed into third only to refuse at the last. As up front Belmont King made a mistake exactly as he did at the last the year before but Mick Fitzgerald sat tight and galvanised Belmont for that final push to the line, growling , pushing and urging his brave mount to hold on, the stride of a hero, tired , weary now but still giving all he could give, "come on old son, not far now , the fences are out of your way just keep going lad just keep going". But Adrian Maguire had not read the script and touching down in second on Baronet and knowing Belmont was carrying 24lbs more got down into his familiar overdrive position. In that second you knew this National would end in a battle. On the rails Belmont King refusing to give up his crown and on the stand side Baronet, the young pretender, tasting victory his stride relentless ,powering on inch by inch passing the tired Belmont King to power to the front on the run to the post and win the 1998 Scottish Grand National. From Eudipe who caught Belmont king for second just before the line and Jenny Pitman's Nahthen Lad a gallant fourth. And so it would be that a new name would appear on the Scottish Grand National winners board. That of Baronet who had taken the title for the Duke David Nicholson. The tabloids would have fun with the headlines. And a long overdue win for recent father Adrian Maguire. An emotional trainer said after the race "I wanted to win the Scottish National all my life and now I have trained the winner twice in recent years with Moorcroft Boy and today Baronet. I am especially pleased for Adrian (Maguire) who has had a rough time with injuries, he thoroughly deserves this win". After the cheers and whoops of delight had settled down in the winners enclosure . Maguire made his way to weigh in wearing Mrs David Thompson's pink and purple crossbelts colours now doubly famous from that of Aintree National winner Party Politics and now Baronet. Baronet was circling blowing hard, this tough little gelding by Roselier out of Shuil Agragh. And soon it was time for the new champion to be led away with the valiant Eudipe, Belmont King and Nahthen Lad. And at that moment when they were led past the overlooking statue of Red Rum you felt Rummy approved of that race today. It was his sort of race tough, brave and no quarter given. Yes this year's Scottish Grand National was Red Rum's type of race. It was the type of race jumping enthusiasts everywhere would love. Ronnie was brought up with horses and rode from the age of four. A time showing and riding Arabs progressed to riding thoroughbreds. Injury curtailed this some years ago but the family tradition continues with his children the youngest of whom is an accomplished rider. Ronnie now works as a professional journalist for a variety of UK magazines and newspapers with the Mirror Group. His love of horses and equestrian sports ,in particular horse racing, is now expressed through the pen more than the saddle.
Ronnie Munro can be contacted at: |
