Famous victory for Will Biddick and Chris Barber

‘It’s a big thing for the amateurs to win this race – here and Cheltenham are our Gold Cups’.

Famous Clermont provided top amateur Will Biddick with his first victory in the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase at Aintree.

The two-mile-five-furlong contest is the only race run over Grand National fences confined to amateur riders and has previously been won by the likes Nina Carberry, Jamie Codd and last year’s Grand National hero Sam Waley-Cohen.

Having impressed in winning hunter chases at Wincanton and Haydock in February before finishing sixth at the Cheltenham Festival last month, the Chris Barber-trained Famous Clermont was among the market principals at 9-2 and was among several still in with a chance leaving the back straight.

Biddick appeared keen to deliver his challenge late, but had no option but to allow his mount to stride to the front before the elbow and he only had to be nudged out from there home to win comfortably by just under five lengths.

Famous Clermont (right) jumps the final fence at Aintree
Famous Clermont (right) jumps the final fence at Aintree (Mike Egerton/PA)

Bennys King filled the runner-up spot, with Lough Derg Spirit third and last year’s winner Latenightpass a creditable fourth after giving a bold sight in front for a long way.

Biddick said: “I’ve been around for 20 seasons now and I think my first ride round here was Le Duc in 2009 (finished fifth).

“I’ve had a few seconds and I’ve been knocking on the door. It’s a big thing for the amateurs to win this race – here and Cheltenham are our Gold Cups. To do it massive.

“This horse has come up through the point-to-point ranks and has really got his act together in his last two or three runs. We had a go at Cheltenham to see if he would stay and it proved he doesn’t really get the extended three miles.

“Today he landed in front after the last and pricked his ears and I thought I’d got him beat, but he is a class act.”

Barber said: “It still hasn’t sunk in. Will gave him a peach of a ride.

“This has been the target since the start of the season and I have to thank Jamie who rides him at home and Rupert Nuttall, who has worked so hard on his jumping.

“I didn’t watch much of the race until they turned in. When they crossed the Melling Road I thought we might be starting to push but he came back into the bridle and kept on galloping.

“The owners have been offered a lot of money for him multiple times, but the plan will be to come back here in 12 months and try to do the double. All the signs before today were good at home.

“My grandfather (Richard Barber) won this race and was such a successful trainer. In everything I do I try to make my grandfather proud.”

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