Leighton Aspell has hung up his boots for the second time and this time they will stay hung up, or so he insists. The decision which appeared rash at 31 is undoubtedly rational at 43 and the Dubliner has accumulated so many great memories in the interim that he can reflect on his career with satisfaction.
Such was not the case when he drew stumps in the summer of 2007, obeying an urge so surprising that the trainer Oliver Sherwood almost fell over when he heard of it. “Deep down, I’ve not been happy,” was the verdict at the time from Aspell, who had been riding enough winners to keep going but not to slake his ambition.
He went to work as assistant to the Arundel trainer John Dunlop but continued to school jumpers for a couple of other yards and, by the following spring, it was with envious eyes that he watched his former colleagues at Cheltenham and Aintree. It was 2009 before he was back in action and renewed success was far from immediate but eventually he found himself getting the leg-up on some very talented animals from Sherwood, Emma Lavelle and Lucy Wadham.
“I’ve had a brilliant second innings,” he said here. “The more experience I’ve got, the more I’ve enjoyed it because people give you free rein to ride their horses, they rely on your experience. It’s been a joy to have that relationship with the trainers.
“The time has come to move on. I could have gone on till the end of the season but when the entries came out for this week and I saw it was Fontwell, my local track, I thought, I’ll do it then.” Aspell will have his final two rides on Sunday at the Sussex track.
Many a once-a-year punter should give thanks for Aspell’s renaissance, as he won the Grand National in consecutive years, aboard Pineau De Re and Many Clouds. Most of his colleagues would have fancied their chances aboard Many Clouds, also a Hennessy winner, but Pineau De Re, an unreliable jumper, was no easy ride.
Aspell, who also won two Welsh Grand Nationals, seemed to have an affinity with stamina-laden steeplechasers. But, as is the case for so many riders, his career was shaped by the opportunities that fell his way. “I’ll die a Cheltenham Festival virgin, I’ve never had a winner there,” he said, smiling. “Deputy Dan was second in the Albert Bartlett a few years ago, and I’ve had a couple of places in the handicaps, but that’s about it. It was looking like slim pickings this year.”
Twenty-one years younger than Aspell, Jonjo O’Neill Jr had another big day at this track, guiding Mister Malarky to victory in the Betway Handicap Chase, formerly a more famous race when sponsored by the Racing Post. O’Neill, who is on his way to becoming champion conditional, received notable praise from the winning trainer, Colin Tizzard.
“That was exhibition stuff,” Tizzard said. “It wasn’t easy for the first mile, he had a job keeping him in position, and when he went past the stands, he filled him up and fired him into everything, which you can do with that horse, he’s a very accurate jumper. It was a brilliant ride, brilliant.”
Earlier, Solo bounded to the top of the market for the Cheltenham Festival’s Triumph Hurdle with an impressive 13-length success in the Adonis. “He has been a joy to train,” said Paul Nicholls. “He thrives on every bit of work you give him.” Solo was in demand at 4-1 for the Triumph on Saturday evening.
Wolverhampton 2.00 Surf Walk (nb) 2.30 Getariver 3.00 Longhouse Sale 3.30 Lough Derg Spirit 4.00 Birds Of Prey 4.30 Rhythm Is A Dancer 5.00 The Dancing Poet
Fontwell 2.20 Echo Watt 2.50 Grand Sancy 3.20 Thomas Darby (nap)
3.50 Black Gerry 4.20 Cobaltic 4.50 Alcala 5.20 Frenchy Du Large
