Walsh stays calm to take control

RACING/Scottish Grand National: Ruby Walsh thanked his lucky stars after getting the best of a thrilling finish to the Scottish Grand National on "spare ride" Take Control at Ayr on Saturday.

The result was a major boost for champion trainer Martin Pipe, who has been at a low ebb since the death of his father David and his best horse Valiramix last month.

But stable-jockey Tony McCoy was left disappointed over his ill fortune as he chose to ride shorter-priced Cyfor Malta instead - his mount was pulled up.

Walsh only came in for the ride on 20 to 1 chance Take Control (unplaced as a well-backed 4 to 1 favourite for the race last year) when his intended partner Montifault was found to be unfit on the eve of the race and the Irish rider was snapped up by Pipe at declaration time.

It took him little time to get to know his partner, whom he moved up from the rear early on the final circuit in the four-mile-one-furlong contest.

As the field turned for home he was bang in contention as little more than a length separated a leading group which also included the pacemakers Grey Abbey and Gunther McBride plus Shotgun Willy.

But disaster nearly struck after the second-last fence as the quartet had to swerve right to bypass the last obstacle, which was omitted due to the fall of Wishbone there on the previous lap.

Wishbone, from the Aintree Grand National-winning stable of Nigel Twiston-Davies, was put down after breaking a shoulder and amateur rider Paul Robson was taken to hospital for X-rays on a suspected shoulder injury.

For a second it appeared that Take Control would be forced on to the hurdles course but Walsh got him back on track and drove him to a great last effort which saw the gelding lead close home for a half-length win.

Shotgun Willy (20 to 1) was second, a length and a half clear of Gunther McBride (11 to 2) who pipped Grey Abbey (13 to 2) for third.

Only seven of the 18 runners completed the course and Jonjo O'Neill's National "hoodoo" struck again as his 4 to 1 favourite Carbury Cross unseated Liam Cooper at the 20th fence.

Reflecting on the race, Walsh - who has won the Aintree Grand National on Papillon and Irish Grand National on Commanche Court - said: "I was lucky. All I need now is the Welsh and I am sorted!"

Walsh, who rode a four-timer on the day with other wins on Kadarann, Saint Par and Maybe The Business, revealed that McCoy had no hard feelings about missing out on a big winner: "He came out and said well done."

Paul Nicholls was left ruing a narrow defeat for Shotgun Willy, who put a modest previous effort in the Cheltenham Gold Cup well behind him.

"He has run a hell of a race," the trainer said. "I always said he wanted a trip and this was a much better job for him."

Philip Hobbs had mixed feelings after Gunther McBride's defeat under Richard Johnson.

"You can't be disappointed but Richard thinks he needs a break and maybe the horse wasn't totally 100 per cent today," he said.

Barry Murtagh was delighted that Grey Abbey was able to prove himself over a trip many thought would prove too far for him.