Dramatic Win For Run For Paddy
Trainer-jockey Carl Llewellyn and 33-1 shot Run For Paddy won the Scottish Grand National in a dramatic finish, just beating Ladalko, the 7/1 joint favourite with a late surge at the post.
It was the second successive year that jockey Ruby Walsh has been beaten in a photo finish in the big race at Ayr.
Third was 50-1 shot Royal Emperor, with Idle Talk (8-1) in fourth place. Those two had made the running late on until Run For Paddy’s heroic victory charge.
It was the 40-year-old Llewellyn’s first win as a trainer after taking over from Mark Pitman two weeks ago.
Royal Emperor and Idle Talk were disputing the lead turning for home before Ladalko began to make his move in the straight.
Llewellyn was just beginning to get a tune out of his mount, however, and moved up on the outside coming to the final fence as Idle Talk began to fade.
Three fine leaps at the 27th and last resulted in a pulsating three-way battle on the run-in, with Llewellyn eventually shading it.
Walsh was suffering yet another heartbreakingly narrow defeat after just being denied by the same distance aboard Cornish Rebel last year.
Llewellyn, who won the 1998 Grand National with Earth Summit, said: “I wasn’t sure whether I’d won or not. I thought I might have got up, and Ruby thought I had.”
“I’ve now won the the Welsh, English and Scottish Nationals. Ironically, my previous best in this race was on Sweet Duke, who was beaten by Jenny Pitman’s Willsford 11 years ago.”
“All credit has to go to my assistant Paul Price as he does the work on this one at home.”
Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Grand National result:
1. Run For Paddy C Llewellyn 33-1
2. Ladalko R Walsh 7-1 Jt Fav
3. Royal Emperor D Elsworth 50-1
4. Idle Talk J M Maguire 8-1
30 ran
Also: 7-1 Jt Fav All In The Stars
