L'Escargot proves he's no snail

FROM THE ARCHIVES AINTREE AND THE CARBERRYS: In 1975 Tommy Carberryguided L'Escargot home to thwart a Red Rum Grand National hat-trick

LESS THAN 24 hours after L’Escargot had become the first Irish-trained horse since Mr What in 1958 to win the Liverpool Grand National on Saturday afternoon the 12-year-old was back home in the Curragh stables of Dan Moore and yesterday morning was obviously none the worse for his successful exertions as he ate up a hearty breakfast which included a dozen eggs and a glass of champagne.

L’Escargot, owned by American Raymond Guest, and ridden by champion Irish jockey Tommy Carberry for his father-in-law trainer Dan Moore, halted the Aintree saga of Red Rum when conquering the Southport hero by 15 lengths.

The 12-year-old was given away immediately after the race to his trainer’s wife Joan, who said, L’Escargot will never race again. He deserves a long rest and after that I may hunt him.”

L’Escargot carried the “lucky” chocolate and blue Guest colours which were sported by Derby winners Larkspur and Sir Ivor and became the first Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to triumph in the National since Golden Miller 41 years ago.

L’Escargot, who won the Gold Cup twice in 1970 and 71 was once for sale with no offers at 600 guineas. Sixty-seven-year-old Guest said: “I bought him for £6,000 or £8,000.”

Tommy Carberry, carrying in the pocket of his breeches a lucky snail shell given him by the owner’s daughter Virginia, said: “I had only one anxious moment at the fence after Bechers first time round.”

A mistake there had him hanging round L’Escargot’s neck but Carberry’s superb horsemanship soon had the partnership back in contention.

Carberry added: “I thought he was in better shape today than ever before. Last year when second he was up against a very good horse on the day. This time just before the second Bechers Red Rum seemed to be going more easily than mine. And from Valentines I was going the better and coming back on to the racecourse with two to jump Brian Fletcher shouted to me ‘well done – you’ve won’.”

This victory, worth £38,OO5 to the winner, completed a magnificent National Hunt treble for Carberry inside a month. He rode Ten Up to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Brown Lad to win the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday.

Carberry also won the valuable Topham Trophy on the first day of this Aintree meeting.

So Red Rum’s unique bid for a Grand National hat-trick failed but he was game and gallant in defeat. He jumped the last two fences together with L’Escargot and only gave in on the long run-in. A disappointed Brian Fletcher said: “The ground beat us, it was too soft.”

But like the rest of the Red Rum camp the Durham jockey took the defeat very sportingly. Trainer Donald McCain’s face was full of smiles after Red Rum was given a great reception and 87-year-old owner Noel Le Mare was one of the first to congratulate Guest.

He said: “You can’t give a fellow like L’Escargot 11lb. The quality horses were there today and we’ll bring back Red Rum again next year.”

LEscargot was the best backed horse on the course, being cut from 10 to 1 to 13 to 2 but Guest said: “I did not have a bet today.” Red Rum hardened to 7 to 2 favourite but bookmakers reported very light betting in a crowd that was down on previous years in the face of sweeping admission price increases.

William Hill’s and Ladbrokes agreed: “Most of the betting has been away from the course and this has been an extremely bad result for us.”

Two other English-trained horses gained places. Spanish Steps was third and Money Market fourth. For the third year running the finish had concerned L’Escargot , Red Rum and Spanish Steps.

Owner trainer Edward Courage said: Spanish Steps just loves Aintree and his dam Tiberetta was also in the Grand National frame three times. It just goes to show that form still counts and the first three home are all class horses.”

The start of this richest ever Grand National was delayed 15 minutes when Junior Partner spread a plate. Junior Partner was one of 19 casualties and with two others pulled up. Only 10 of the 31 starters completed the course.

Shaneman fell at the first. Clear Cut and Junior Partner at the second, early leader Simulator at the fourth. Rough House at the fifth and Barna at the next.

Meanwhile, Glanford Brigg and Feel Free were making the running until Feel Free went at the 13th, bringing down Tudor View.

Passing the stands first time there were 16 survivors headed by Glanford Brigg, Beau Bob, Southern Quest, L’Escargot and The Dikler.

At this point four loose horses were still weaving dangerously in the front but they peeled off to the stables as the field went out into the country for the second time with Red Rum improving.

Southern Quest showed briefly ahead at the 18th and High Ken soon after only to fall at Bechers. At Valentines Red Rum mastered Southern Quest with L’Escargot closing fast. These three were pressed by Glanford Brigg and The Dikler and this quintet was clear of Spanish Steps, Money Market and Manicou Bay.

The Dikler, Southern Quest and Glanford Bridge then lost ground and it became a two horse thriller over the last three fences with L’Escargot always moving like the winner.

There were two fatalities. Land Lark was killed outright when falling at the Chair in front of the stands and Beau Bob broke his neck when falling at Bechers second time round and was destroyed.

Graham Thorner said: “I think Land Lark dropped dead over the fence.”

Two jockeys were injured – Paul Kelleway bruised his back when Bacona went at Bechers first time round while Barry Brogan nursed a badly bruised left arm following High Ken’s fall at the same fence on the second circuit.