ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) (2001) b g - Unfuwain (USA) - |Glenarff (USA) (Irish River (FR)) - Won 5 hurdles & 7 chases between 2005 & 2013. Won three times on the flat including handicaps at Ascot and Newmarket in 2004. He won three novice hurdles back to back in early 2005 incuding a thirty length victory at Uttoxeter. Away from Aintree he was nothing more than an average chaser (unplaced in Denmans first  Hennessy & pulled up in a Welsh National in 2008) but was he was transformed over the National fences. He finished fourth on his debut in the 2009 Topham before falling at Aintree for the only time in his career in the Grand Sefton. He won three Tophams in a row between 2010 & 2012 and also finished in two Becher Chases. A remarkable feat that has not been achieved before or since. He never looked like he stayed more than three miles so it was very sporting of connections to let him take his chance in 2013. He never featured but finished a credible tenth. He had earnt a very honourable retirement.  An Aintree legend.​

ANY CURRENCY (IRE) (2003) b g - Moscow Society (USA) - Native Bavard (IRE) (Be My Native (USA)) - Won 5 chases between 2008 & 2017. Won a point in March 2008. Finished seocnd four times during his novice hurdle campaign but never got his head in front and it was clear that his future lay in chasing. He won small races at Sandown and Ascot in the autumn on 2009 and finished a credible fourth in the Kim Muir at the 2010 Festival. In 2012 he finished eighth in the Scottish National and stayed on in the mud to finish third in the Bet365 Gold Cup. In the National he finished last in the 2013 over forty lengths behind the second last. Aintree was not his place (he was eliminated three times in 2012, 2014 & 2015) but he went on to become something of a phenomenon over the Cheltenham Cross Country course. Between March 2013 and March 2017 he ran over the course twelve times. He finished first twice (although he lost one in the stewards room on a technicality), second four times (once he was beaten by only a short head) and third twice. He completed each time and only twice finished out of the frame. A wonderful servant to connections.

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AURORAS  ENCORE

BALLABRIGGS

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BECAUSEICOULDNTSEE (IRE) (2003) ch g - Beneficial - Ath Dara (Duky) - Won NHF & chase between 2009 & 2016. Won a point at the third attempt in 2008 and won his bumper at Kilbeggan in July 2009. Only won one more time, a beginners chase at Fairyhouse by a wide margin in February 2010. He did put up some good perfiomances in defeat notably when he finished second in the National Hunt Chase at the 2010 Festival and he finished that year filling the runners up spot in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown. Aintree was not a happy hunting ground as he failed to complete in three Nationals. He finished second in a second  Festival this time in the 2012 Kim Muir. He later tried his hand over the Punchestown banks course but he refused. He did win another point in October 2014. He last ran under rules at Leopardstown in 2016.

​​​BIG FELLA THANKS (2000) b g - Primitive Rising (USA) - Nunsdream (Derrylin) - Won 2 hurdles & 6 chases between 2008 & 2017. A true Aintree specialist who ran over the National course nine times and jumepd 193 fences making him the third of the ultimiate specialists of this period. He won his point and his first two hurdles in 2008. Chasing was always the aim with this one and he won the old Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster in 2009 and started favourite for the Racing Post Chase where he finished third in a big field. He was already mixing it with the handicappers so despite being a novice he found himself attracting each way support for the 2009 National. He ultimately finished sixth appearing not quite to stay tha National trip but it wasn't a bad effort on only his seventh chase. The following season he chased home Carruthers in the Hennessy Gold Cup, won the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury and started joint favourite with Don't Push It for the 2010 National. He was with the leaders challenging three out but like the previous year he weakened from two out and was pipped for third place close to the line. He left Paul Nicholls and was with Ferdy Murphy for the 2010-11 season which culminated in his third National where again being in a challending position two out and jumping the last in third place he again faded and this time finish seventh.  It did not look like he truly stayed the National distance. He missed the following season and when he returned he was now in the hands of Tom George. He finished third in the Becher Chase just failing in the closing stages, he won at Wincanton and in the 2013 National for the only time in his Aintree career he failed to finish when he was hampered and unseated his rider at the first Canal. He did lead the field riderless for a time though (on the run down to Bechers second time). He didn't run in the National again but was far from finished with Aintree - he ran in the Becher Chase in 2013 and took the easier option of the 2014 Topham. He was unpaced both times. After being narorwly beaten in a handicap at Cheltenham in January 2015 he turned to the amateur game and he later won three hunter chases and a point to point. At Aintree he ran in two Foxhunters finishing third, only beaten three lengths, in 2017, That was particulalry impressive as he was fifteen years old at the time. He raced one more time at Cheltenham in May 2015 where he broke a cannon bone early and was pulled up. Sadly he could not be saved and he was put down a few weeks later. His death was not announced until later in the year sparking a debate as to whether there should be an age limit on horses running. It was tragic that he did not live to enjoy the retirement he so richly deserved but what a credit to connections.​

CAPPA BLEU (IRE) (2002) b g - Pistolet Bleu (IRE) - Cappagale (IRE) (Strong Gale (IRE)) - Won 2 chases between 2010 & 2015. Very lightly raced individual who only ran fifteen times under rules. Started life in Irish points winning at his third attempt and ending that first season with two more victories. Moved to the UK he won two points for Sheila Crow before bursting onto the hunter chase scene winning the Foxhunters at the Festival by tweve lengths . The following season though did not quite got to plan. He was beaten on his next start over the Mildmay course at Aintree, fell in Denmans second Hennessy and then reverted to hurdles. A spell back in points was planned but ultimately  shelved and he did not see a racecourse again until November 2011 when he won on his reappearance at Haydock. He followed that wth third in the Welsh National and he lined up in his first National at 16-1. Choice of stable jockey Paul Moloney he made up a considerable amount of ground having been a distant eighth at the last to finish fourth twelve lengths behind Neptune Collonges and Sunnyhillboy. The following season was all about the National . I was fortunate to see him in his prep race at Ascot and he looked absolutely magnificent in the paddock. He finished second that day and also filled that position in the National. He was closer this time at the last and eventually finished second beaten nine lengths. He only raced three mores times and was last seen pulling up at Ascot in February 2015. A lovely lovely horse.

CHICAGO GREY (IRE) (2003) gr g - Luso (GB) - Carrigeen Acer (IRE) (Lord Americo (IRE)) - Won 3 hurdles & 5 chases between 2007 & 2015. Losts of paces but no wins in his early years before moving to Gordon Elliiott which resulted in three wins in his first four starts for new connections. Amongst the backmarkers at a big price for the 2010 Coral Cup but a year later over fences after a busy novice campaign (ten starts yielding three wins) he justified favouritism and landed the National Hunt Chase. After that he finished unplaced in the Scottish National and whilst he won a Grade 2 Chase at Navan in February 2013 he was arguably not as good thereafter. His first National was unlucky - he was brought down at the fifth fence and a year later despite being one of the favourites he was in rear throughout,  jumped poorly his race ended when he was brought to a standstill at the last fence. He last raced in the cross country event at the 2011 Festival.​​

FORPADDYDEPLASTERER (IRE) (2002) b g - Moscow Society (USA) - Run Artiste (Deep Run) - Won NHF, 2 hurdues and 3 chases between 2007 & 2013 . Amazingly this one finished second an incredible fourteen times during his career and ran up a sequence of seven runner up spots between April 2009 & November 2010. He won the 2009 Arkle by the shortest of short heads which actually broke up the sequence as he had finshed runner up in his three previous starts. After that Cheltenham win came the magnificent seven runner ups including in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival, the Tingle Creek, the Queen Mother, the Melling Chase and the Champion Chase at Punchestown. The sequence was finally broken when he pulled up at halfway in the King George VI Chase. He contiuned to be campaigned in the highest company was still reacing the frame until he won a small event at Thurles in November 2012, his first success in fourty four months. He didn't seem an obvious National runner as he had never run further than three miles and 6-1 seemed a fair reflection of his chances and he was tailed off when he pulled up before the second Canal. He was last seen putting in a below par effort in the Munster National a Limerick in October 2013.​

HARRY THE VIKING (2005) ch g - Sir Harry Lewis (USA) - Viking Flame (Viking (USA)) - W0n 2 hurdles & 5 chases between 2011 & 2020. Won a point at his thrid attempt before beng sent to Paul Nicholls. In the autumn of 2011 he won a maiden hurdle, a novice hurdle and two novice chases before finishing a credible second in the National Hunt Chase at the Festival (behind Teaforthree) and finished that season puling up in the Scottish National on what was only his fourth chase. The following season he was unplaced in the Hennessy and the Kim Muir before taking the challenge of Aintree on what was his eighth chase. He never got into the race and was pulled after Valentines scecond time. He never returned to Aintree as he was eliminated in 2015 & 2016 but he continued being campaigned in long distance chases until he was last seen out at Musselburgh in February 2020.​

IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE) (2001) b g Flemensfirth (USA) - Ballinlovane (Le Moss (IRE)) - Won NHF, hurdle & 6 chases between 2006 & 2013. The forgotten Gold Cup winner as in the run up to his victory in 2010 all talk was about 'Kauto Star v Denman - the decider' and when he ran in the race the following year it was still all about his pesky Ditcheat rivals. His win was by no means a shock result though as he was a very talented individual who had proven form at Cheltenham, in fact five of his six chase victories had come at Pestbury Park. He won his sole Irish point in 2005, his bumper in October 2006 and whilst he was only an average novice hurdler in 2006-07 he won on his debut over fences at Chelteham in October 2007. He was lightly raced that first season over fences (he was not seen out after December) but in 2008-2009 he won two valuable races at Cheltenham, the Paddy Power Gold Cup in the autumn and the Ryanair Chase at the Festival. That had been chosen as his main target after he appeared not to have stayed three miles in the King George VI behind Kauto Star. The following season he gave his Kempton victor a run for his money with a titanitc battle up the Haydock straight only going down a nose in the Betfair Chase. That put him into contention for the Gold Cup but once again he disappointed in the King George. He was not seen again until Cheltenhan and despite his credentials over the course there were question marks over his stamina and in the build up to the race he was of course completely overshadowed by all the talk of the Denman /Kauto Star decider. That match never materialised  - Kauto Star was never going well afer a monumental blunder at the ninth fence and he fell four out when beaten whilst Denman was no match for him and he won imperiously by seven lengths. Sadly this lightly raced individual only raced six more times over the next three years. He struggled on his next start, the Aintree Bowl, so often the graveyard of Cheltenham heroes and he unseated when beaten. He won his sole Gold Cup prep race in the Betfair Chase at Haydock but in the 2011 Gold Cup having been prominent he blundered four out and weakened rapidy, being pulled up before the last. He had finished lame and that was it for nearly two years as he was sidelined with a tendon injury. He returned to action in the Cotswold Chase in January 2013 and so nearly pulled off a memorable return when he was caught in the closing stages by Cape Tribulation having looked all over the winner at the last. He was sent for an attempt at the Grand National rather than the Gold Cup but was behind when he pulled up before second Bechers. He ran just one more time in the Hennessy the following November but was pulled up and time was called on his career. A true Cheltenham specialist. He died of a heart attack in April 2017. 
JOIN TOGETHER (IRE) (2005) b g - Old Vic - Open Cry (IRE) (Montelimar (USA)) - Won a hurdle and 3 chases between 2010 & 2017. Won an Irish poiint in March 2010. Fancued for the 2012 RSA on the back of two Cheltenham wins that ayrymb but he was ulitmaitely pulled uo He looked an ideal Aintree sort and ran Hello Bud to a neck in  blanket finish for the 2012 Becher Chase. In the Nationak itself though he fiished a never dangerous twelfth and also failed to shine when unoplaced in the Becher Chase . In between those Aintree visits he tried his luck in Auteus Autumn classic the Pri La Haye osselin where he finished completely tailed off. That was it for the professional gane vyr ge oriced a recekatiob being the flags for osemary Loxtom > he won six times in a row in 2014 and added a Wincanton huner chase in Febray 2016 and two ore points over the next two years. He was only once out of the frame in twenty one starts in the amteur game.  He last raced uder rules at Cheltenhams Hunter Chase evening fixutre in May 2017

JONCOL (IRE) (2003) b g Bobs Return (IRE) - Finemar Lady (IRE) (Montelimar (USA)) - Won NHF and 6 chases between 2008 & 2013. Won a point to point and his bumper in 2007-08 and went straight over fences winning his first three including twice at Naas. He was at the height of his powers in the 2009-2010 season when he lifted the Grade 1 Punchestown Chase, finished third in an ultra-compettive Lexus Chase at Leopardstowns Christmas meeting and gained a second Grade 1 at the same track winning the Irish Gold Cup by a neck from Cooldine. It wasn't the best renewal by any stretch of the imagination but at this time he was one of the best chasers in ireland. He continued to be campaigned in top company but he didn't hit the heights again and his National run in 2013 was his first race in the UK. Unfancied at 50-1 he clearly didn't enjoy the experience. He blundered at the second and was tailed off by half way and didnt get much further. He only raced a handful of times after that last being seen in a hunter chase at Down Royal in December 2013.  

​​LOST GLORY (NZ) (2005) b g - Montjeu (IRE) - Joie De Vivre (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ)) - Won 2 hurdles and 6 chases between 2009 & 2014. Average chaser who hit a rich vein of form prior to his sole Aintree attempt with four vicroies in the summer and autumn of 2012. Off the course for nearly six moths before his National he was tailed off and pulled up at half way. He did win his next start at Wetherby a month later but that was it really. As an unused reserve he was denied a run in 2014. He last ran under rules at Wincanton in October 2014 and showed little in points over the next two years.​​​

MAJOR MALARKEY (IRE) (2003) b g - Supreme Leader - Valley (IRE) (Flemensfirth (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles and 5 chases between 2007 & 2016. Nothing more than an average haser who lined up at odds of 50-1 in 2013 and fiished eleventh. He later went hunter chasing and ran in two Foxhunters in 2015 (when he finished fourth) and 2016. He last raced at Cheltenham in April 2016.​

MUMBLES HEAD (IRE) (2001) ch g - Flemensfirth (USA) - Extra Mile (Torus) - Won NHF, 3 hurdles & 5 chases between 2006 & 2014. Won debut bumper at Catterick but finished amongst the backmarkers at odds of 200-1 in the Festival bumper on his next start.  Won his first hurdle as well at Sedgefield in September 2006.  Three year later he won his debut chase at Newcastle. He never hit the heights over fences, he unseated early in the 2011 Welsh National and was a first fence faller in the Becher Chase in 2012. He did win three races on the bounce between April-June 2012. He was amongst he backmarkers but looking at finishing the course when he refused at the last fence which put a number of other strugglers out of the race. He only raced a handful of times after that but he did win at Perth in July 2013. He was last seen pulling up in the 2014 Kim Muir at the Festival.​​

NINETIETH MINUTE (IRE) (2003) b g - Old Vic - My Own (IRE) (Le Bavard (FR)) - Won NHF, 4 hurdles & a chase between 2007 & 2014. Won his bumper in March 2007. Useful hurdler winning three times in 2008-09 culminating with Festival success in the Coral Cup. He didn't hit the same heights over fences only winning once and he only lasted ten fences in 2013 National pulling up when already tailed off.  He last raced over rules at Haydock in February 2014. ​

QUEL ESPRIT (FR) (2004) gr g - Saint des Saints (FR) - Jeune D'Esprit (FR) - Royal Charter (FR)) - Won 2 NHF, 2 hurdles & 4 chases between 2008 & 2014. Won a maiden point in March 2008, his bumper at Leopardstown in December 2008 and finished fifth in the Festival Bumper before scoring at the Punchestwon Festival. Won first three hurdles including a Grade 3 event at Cork but fell at the second in the Baring Bingham Novices Hurdle at the 2010 Festival. Two days later he turned out again in the Albert Bartlett finishing sixth. He won his first chase at Limerick but hit the deck on his next three starts, falling when going well three out in the RSA Chase on his third Festival appearance. Once he got his jumping together in his second season over fences he won three times including the 2012 Irish Gold Cup.  He missed Cheltenham but started favourite for the Punchestown Gold Cup on his next start finishing thrid. He followed that with a trip to France finishing unplaced in the Grand Course de Haies D'Auteuil. He was next seen in the Irish Gold Cup where he finished a moderate last of four and then came the National. He didnt seem an ideal National sort and he was pulled up before the second Canal. He was campaigned in points and hunter chases the following season and was generally disappointing after a point win in January 2014. He last raced in a hunter chase at the 2014 Punchestown Festival.​

QUISCOVER FONTAINE (FR) (2004) b g - Antarctique (IRE) - Blanche Fontaine (FR) (Oakland (FR)) - Won NHF, 4 hurdles & 2 chases between 2008 & 2014. Having won his bumper he looked to be heading for the top with three straight wins over hurdles before flopping in a Grade 2 contest at Thurles (he was found to be "clinically abnormal" by the vet after the race). A year later and he seemed back on track winning his first two chases but he was no match for Sizing Europe in the Arkle at the 2010 Festival. He never really hit those early heights again although he was fourth in the Irish Grand National in 2011. He fell at half way in the National in 2012 and got round in his own time in 2013. He was eliminated in 2014. He tried his luck in the cross country course at Cheltenham and was last seen in the La Touche Cup at Punchestown in May 2014.​

RARE BOB (IRE) (2002) bb g - Bob Back (USA) - Cut Ahead (Kalaglow) - Won 4 chases between 2006 & 2014. Placed several times over hurdles without ever getting his head in front.  He was a much better prospect over fences. In 2009 he won three times incuding at the Punchestown Festival and he also finished fourth when favourite for the Irish Grand National. He never hit those heights again. He twice ran in the chase that preceeds the National. In his first attempt over the National fences he finished a distamt fifth in the Becher Chase in 2011. In the 2012 National he was brought down by a stricken rider at the fifth fence, He put up by far his best effort in 2013 finishing fifh having made some late headway although he never troubled the winnner. He ony raced a few times more and was last seen pulling up over the Cheltenham cross country course in December 2014.

​​ROBERTO GOLDBACK (IRE) (2002) b g - Bob Back (USA) - Manysway (IRE) (Mandalus (IRE)) - Won NHF, hurdle & 4 chases between 2008 & 2014. Initially trained in Ireland he was just short of top class over both hurdles and fences winning a Grade 2 event at Leopardstown in January 2010. He was campaigned in top company making his UK debut when unplaced in the 2011 Ryanair Chase. He was runner up in the Irish Gold Cup in 2012 and was unplaced in the Aintree Bowl at odds of 100-1 later that season. Moved to Nicky Henderson in October 2012 he won on debut for new connections at Ascot but failed to capitalise on that victory . 25-1 seemed a little on the stingy side as he did not appear to have much chance in the National and he was behind when he was involved in the pile up at the last fence. He finished amongst the backmarkers in the Becher Chase later that year. He did finish third in the Kim Muir at the Festival in 2014 but pulled up in the Scottish National. He ran one more time a Fontwell in May 2014.

​​SEABASS (IRE) (2003) b g - Turtle Island - Muscovy Duck (Moscow Society) - Won Hurdle & 6 chases between 2007 & 2017. Came from the pointing field when he was successful for J T McNamara in March 2007 but he wasn't much good over timber and soon went chasing, He won two chases in early 2010 but was then off the course for nearly two years. On his return he continued where he left off with a win in a point to point and then won four chases in a row including the Leopardstown Handicap Chase and a Grade Two event at Navan. He had taken his winning streak to seven and started joint favourite for the 2012 Grand National. Up until now lady riders had ridden outsiders with no real chance of winning but Katie Walsh now had a serious chance of winning the race. They put up a bold display and was with the leaders in the closing stages taking the lead at the second last before weakening at the Elbow to finish third, five lengths behind Neptune Collonges and Sunnyhillboy. He was a never dangerous thirteenth when he returned to Aintree a year later. He later won a hurdle race at Thurles and was last seen at Fairyhouse in a hunter chase in February 2017.​​

SUNNYHILLBOY (IRE) (2003) b g - Old Vic - Sizzle (High Line) - Won NHF, 5 hurdles and 3 chases between 2007 & 2015. Won his bumper and ran up a hat-trick of victories over timber in the autumn of 2009. He was fancied for the County Hurdle at the 2010 Festival but finished amongst the backmarkers. He followed that disappointment with victory in a listed hurde at Aintrees National meeting. The following season he went chasing and was successful enough to be allowed to start favourite for the Festival Plate at his second Festival. He finished a close second. He made it Festival number three when he started favorite for Ultima Handicap Chase on Champion Hurdle day but he took a heavy fall early in the race.  Showing no ill effects he started favourite for the Irish Grand National on his next start and was in with a shout two out before being overhauled by OrganisedConfusion. He was lightly raced thereafter but he did make it into the Festival winners enclosure at the fourth attempt. Starting favourite in the Kim Muir he forged clear in the closing stages to beat future National rival Becauseicouldnsee by four and half lengths. After Cheltenham came his career defining moment in the National when he became the narrowest loser of all time. Held up early he had made headway to track the leaders from half way and jumping the last in third place he took the lead at the Elbow and looked to be going the strongest until the grey Neptune Collonges rallied but at the line it still looked like he had held on. However the grey had taken it literally on the line to win by a nose. The following year he never got competitive and was one of several backmarkers who had his race come to an end in a melee at the very last fence. Still only ten he only raced four more times but he did manage a win at Cheltenham in December 2013. He only raced one more time after that finishing unplaced in a hurdle at Haydock in February 2015.  ​​​

TARQUINIUS (FR) (2003) gr g - Turgeon (USA) - Shannon Bells (Nashaman (IRE)) - Won 5 chases between 2008 & 2015. Never ran over hurdles. Started life in the French provinces. When moved to the UK he plied his trade on the smalller southern tracks. After three seasons with Charlie Mann he moved to Ireland in June 2012. Kept vey busy in 2012-13 the National was his fourteenth start of that first Irish season which had yielded wins at Punchestown, Leopardstown and Fairyhouse.  100-1 seemed ludicrously long odds and he ran well enough before weakening to finish eighth. He showed nothing after that and was last seen pulling up in a hunter chase (won by fellow National runner Mahor Malarkey) At Cheltenham in April 2015.​​​

TATENEN (FR) (2004) b g - Lost World (IRE) - Tamaziya (IRE) (Law Society (USA)) - Won 2 hurdles & 5 chases between 2007 & 2014. Won a listed hurdle and a Group 2 event as a juvenile at Auteuil when trained by Domiic Bressou. Came to the UK to be trained by Paul Nicholls and he was a useful novice chaer winning over the Mildmay course and Cheltenham in the autumn of 2008. He fell early when favourite for the Arkle and finished second in the Maghul Novices Chase on Grand Naional day. He later went on to win two races at Ascot but didn't quite hit the heights expected of him. He came down at the Canal first tme in 2012 and was one of only two fallers in the 2013 race when he misjudged the twelfth fence. In 2014 he ran in the Topham finishing fourth. He only ran one more time at Sandown in November 2014.​​

TREACLE (IRE) (2001) ch g - Zaffaran (USA) - Current Liability (IRE) (Caribo (IRE) - Won a hurdle & 5 chases between 2006 & 2013. Having fallen in the Irish National in 2009 he won the Munster National at Limerick . He lost his way thereafter but after fiishing runner up in the Paddy Power Case and third in th Irish Gold Cup he found himself with each way prospects for the 2012 National. He fell at the tenth and a year later unseated at the first Canal. He was last seen in a hurdle ay Roscommon in July 2013. 
VIKING BLOND (FR) (2005) ch g - Varese (FR) - Sweet Jaune (FR) (Le Nain Jaune (FR)) - Won 3 hurdles & a chase between 2009 & 2016. Won his first chase at Vhepstow in October 2011 but that was is sile sucess Pulled up in the Welsh National three starts later and ran in his first National when still a novice - he got no further than he first fence. He pulled up in  second Welsh National and got a bit further in the National but was tailed off when he called it a day at the Chair. He did later win another hurdle at Ffos Las two years later. He last raced in January at 2016 in Taunton but later ran without sucess in points.​​​

WEIRD AL (IRE) (2003) b g Accordian (IRE) - Bucks Gift (IRE) (Buckley) - Won a hurdle & 5 chases between 2008 & 2013. Very lightly raced and only managed seventeen races in total. Unbeaten in his four novice chases in 2009-10 but that season ended prematurely due to a fractured off fore cannon bone. He dead heated at Carlisle on his return to action eight months later but he pulled up in both the Hennessy Gold Cup and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Moved trainer to Donald McCain in Septemer 2011 and he won the Charlie Hall Chase on his first run for new connections and then finished an albeit distant third behind Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase. It was a similar story though in his second Gold Cup pulling up and he fell four our when tailed off in the Grand Natona l. He only raced a handful of times more, pulled up in the 2013 National and was last seen at Uttoxeter in June 2013.​​​

WHAT A FRIEND (2003) b g Alflora (IRE) - Friendly Lady (New Member) - Won NHF, hurdle & 5 chases between 2007 & 2013. Won his sole bumper and three of his four novice chases in 2008 but he was unplaced in the RSA Chase. He chased home Deman in his second Hennessy in 2009 and then won the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown (turning the tables on Cooldine from the RSA). Bypassing the Gold Cup he was aimed at the Aintree Bowl a race that Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander was expected to win easily but he unseated when beaten and he was left to win beating Carruthers by three and a quarter lengths. Lightly raced thereafter he was fourth in the 2011 Gold Cup. He pulled up in the Grand National on his next start. His second Gold Cup in 2012 ended at the second fence. He was last seen over rules pulling up in the 2013 Grand National. He ran in a few points over the following two years.