Cork owner Charlie McCarthy going for Scottish Grand National glory with Chosen Witness

Fermoy owner Charlie McCarthy will be hoping his dream season continues as Chosen Witness runs in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr tomorrow. 

Following the brilliant victory of Kopek Des Bordes in the opening race at Cheltenham the McCarthy family have been looking forward to the closing weeks of the season. 

With Willie Mullins chasing back-to-back victories in the Trainers Championship in Britain all roads lead to Scotland tomorrow where Paul Townend will have a lovely book of rides.

McCarthy’s Chosen Witness leaped to the head of the Scottish Grand National after confirmations were made on Monday and a wave of support saw him slashed into 9-2 favourite.  He was travelling beautifully when coming down at the fourth-last in a 3m Grade 2 chase when last seen at Navan in February. 

This was a quality race, with Better Days Ahead, Stellar Story and Three Card Brag in opposition. 

Course form is everything in racing and Chosen Witness won a 3m novice handicap hurdle at this meeting last year. 

Any Grand National requires plenty of luck but this horse has really been layed out for his marathon contest.

The Aintree Grand National proved a spectacular success for the all-conquering Willie Mullins team as his son Patrick won the race with Nick Rockett following plenty of thrills and spills on the famed Liverpool circuit. 

Roscarberry’s Brian Hayes eventually finished third aboard Grangeclare West but was desperately unlucky after a shuddering mistake at the final fence halted his run. 

Defending champion I Am Maximus under Paul Townend was runner-up after a super run under top weight. 

Townend went down the inside but his mount just made a couple of niggly mistakes which eventually took their toll. 

But I Am Maximus is a hell of a horse and went down very bravely.

Hewick and Gavin Sheehan were close to the pace throughout but just ran out of petrol in the end. 

Another crack at the French Champion Hurdle could be on the cards after his brave effort in the Randox Grand National. 

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s popular €850 buy finished second in France last May, with his handler eyeing going one place better and another trip to America once the 10-year-old has fully recovered from his Aintree exertions.

”I have to talk to the owner, but we were second in the French Champion Hurdle last year and I would say we might head back for that," Hanlon said.

"I would be very happy to do that and he has no problem travelling. 

"I wouldn’t mind going back to America with him as well, there’s a lot of money available out there and I would like another go at that race (American Grand National, which he won in 2022) as well.” 

Sent off at 14-1 for National glory, Hewick cut a fine sight tackling the famous spruce in the hands of Dunmanway’s Gavin Sheehan and came home a respectable eighth behind Willie Mullins’ Nick Rockett after seeing his fuel tank run empty late in the day. 

He has since returned home to Hanlon’s County Carlow base, with the stable star getting a clean bill of health.

SUPER

“It was a great run and for a little horse it was super. He’s picked up a lot of prize money again and he gave his heart and that’s what he does every time he runs. 

"He did us proud.

“He’s 100 per cent, he got home no problem at all and there’s not a bother on him. 

He was tired after the race, but we gave him a couple of hours there at Aintree before loading him on the van and getting him home.”  

The Punchestown Festival will bring the curtain down on another incredible national hunt season later in the month. 

Constitution Hill has been one of the most talked about horses in training despite falling at Cheltenham and Aintree this season. 

Following his latest drama in last week's Aintree Hurdle there is still a strong possibility he will head across the Irish Sea for a potential clash with the likes of Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace, State Man and Lossiemouth. 

It would be a fitting finale to the season.