McGregor The Third gets repeat

McGREGOR THE THIRD demonstrated the art of cross country chasing with a second successive victory in the Sporting Index Chase at Cheltenham yesterday. The former event horse produced another faultless round over the three-mile, seven-furlong course consisting of 30 fences to stamp himself as the track specialist.

Racing in the colours of Fiona Whitaker, who owned 1978 Grand National winner Lucius, the 5 to 6 favourite completed an 18-length romp over Irish Stamp with Seasamacamile 19 lengths back in third.

Alterations to the layout of the course, on which Leagaune died during the inaugural running last year, helped produce a less demanding race and no serious casualties.

There were no fallers as six of the nine runners completed, while the remainder, including 1925 Pardubicka winner Its A Snip, were pulled up.

McGregor The Third, confidently steered round the course by Brian Harding again, looked the ideal Grand National type, though Gordon Richards' son Nicky doubted he possessed enough class to win at Aintree.

The 10-year-old was entered in the race last year but was eliminated because his handicap rating which has risen since, was not high enough.

"He's a star in his own right. But to win a National you have to have that bit of class, nearly Gold Cup class," said Richards.

"I don't know what father and Mrs Whitaker will decide, but I would think he will have a break now."

Mrs Whitaker said: "I leave the decisions up to Gordon, but I wouldn't be against running in the National. It's lovely to see him enjoying himself as he did here."

Bookmakers William Hill quote 33 to 1 about McGregor The Third's Grand National chances.

Its A Snip was pulled up by Richard Dunwoody approaching the 25th obstacle when contesting second place with Irish Stamp.

But trainer Charlie Mann was optimistic his injury was not too serious. "He walked onto the horse ambulance and might have slipped a hock," he said.

But consolation quickly arrived when Celibate completed his fourth straight win with the six-length defeat of Land Afar in the Stakis Casinos November Novices' Chase.

The victory, under Dunwoody, who had also ridden Challenger du Luc to his Murphys Gold Cup triumph, earned the jockey the Murphys Riding Award of £200 and a trophy.

Mann would like to aim Celibate, whose last defeat was in the Belgian Champion Hurdle, at the Arkle Chase in March and may give the horse one more outing before he is rested.

Bob Buckler saddled the third and fourth finishers in the Sporting Index Chase and, with Queen's Award taking second behind Mister Blake in the Murphys Novices Handicap Chase, he rounded off the day with an easy win from Noble Lord.

The three-year-old won in emphatic style as he completed a hat-trick by 15 lengths from Always Happy in the Tony Wright Benefit juvenile Novices Hurdle.