Gina Andrews became the latest female rider to land victory over Grand National fences when she partnered Latenightpass (7-2) to glory in the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase at Aintree Racecourse.
Rachael Blackmore became the first to win the world's greatest steeplechase on Minella Times 12 months ago. But Andrews, a record-breaking point-to-point rider, was the fourth woman to triumph in the Foxhunters following Carrie Ford (Forest Gunner 2005), Nina Carberry (On The Fringe 2015) and Tabitha Worsley (Top Wood 2019).
Andrews had the nine-year-old – who had been second to Cousin Pascal in this race 12 months ago – near the heads of affairs almost thoughout. She tracked Cousin Pascal – a shock 66-1 winner of this at last year's Grand National meeting – with Cat Tiger, who has been third in 2021, also front rank.
Jett, sent off the 5-2 favourite based after his fine front-running effort in last year's National at Aintree, was prominent under leading amateur rider Sam Waley-Cohen. He was prominent but fell away and was eventually pulled up. Waley-Cohen – a winner of six races over the National fences – will retire from riding on Saturday, where his final ride will be aboard Emmett Mullins' Noble Yeats in the Aintree showpiece.
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As Cousin Pascal gave way Cat Tiger, under his owner/rider David Maxwell, came through over the last fence. But Latenightpass (7-2), running for the first time since a wind operation, just kept galloping to gave Andrews' husband Tom Ellis a big-race victory, scoring by a length-and-a-quarter. The late finishing Porlock Bay (8-1) was the same distance back in third.
Andrews said: "He was absolutely super, he just takes to it so well for whatever reason. He was so nimble, he is by no means the most scopey, just agile and so nimble.
"You have to get a good start, they always say you can't win the race at the start but you can lose it. He was brilliant all the way round, no mistakes, I'm just delighted.
"It's an absolute dream. He took to it like an absolute dream last year so we missed Cheltenham this year and he was a much fresher horse. I'm so pleased."
Ellis said: "Dad and I got bored when mum was away and we went to see a neighbour and got the mare. I think we gave £2,000 for her, I rode her a few times and she won three races and got injured.
"This horse was the first foal we've ever bred, so we've literally done everything with him from the word go and I can't tell you what it means – it's magical.
"We came so close last year. I've been good friend with Dan Skelton since school and the first thing he said to me was don't go to Cheltenham next year and you'll win – what a piece of advice!
"We felt we'd left our Aintree race at Cheltenham last year and coming here fresh this year has definitely paid off. The plan has come together, which is amazing.
"We have lots of winners point-to-pointing every weekend and Gina rides them all, but to see your wife win the race of her dreams on a horse you've bred and trained, it's absolutely amazing.
"This is as emotional as I've ever been – I'm speechless."
