Daily Star horse takes ‘summer time vacation’ after shedding 3st in Grand National race
EXCLUSIVE: Trainer says Wendigo was ready for his ‘dinner’, is ‘absolutely fine’ after a ‘great season’ and good to go in next year’s Grand National
Wendigo is enjoing a break but will be ready to go again soon(Image: PA)
Daily Star horse Wendigo is having a ‘summer holiday’ after shedding nearly 3st during his Grand National Ladies Day race.
Trainer Jamie Snowden said the seven-year-old gelding was ‘absolutely fine’ after his showpiece appearance on TV. He lost 19kg – 2.9st – running the three mile and 210 yards £120,000 William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase a fortnight ago ‘which is enough’, Jamie said, adding the horse was ready for his ‘dinner’ afterwards.
Wendigo had to use his tapdancing skills to dodge a fall. Jockey Jonathan Burke expertly steered him out of trouble when two horses went down in front of him.
He swerved out of the way and carried on running but was hampered by the pile-up and came home sixth but has made a full recovery.
Jaime said: “They went off very quick on good ground and he was just taken out of his comfort zone really.
“It’s the end of a long season. He just looked a little bit flat. We can easily forgive that. He’s had a great season over fences. We’re delighted with him. He has performed admirably.
“I’m very much looking forward to seeing him in staying handicaps next season and seeing him progress again. I’m delighted to say he is absolutely fine on the back of Aintree and we’ll just wind him down now ready for a summer holiday through May, June and a bit of July.”
We bought a hoof of Wendigo via The Racing Club syndicate minutes before he raced in front of the Queen on Ladies Day at Cheltenham last month.
It is designed to allow folk who would not normally be able to afford a thoroughbred to compete in the sport of kings.
In his first race for us Wendigo – which has already notched up six victories – stumbled at the last fence while a promising fourth and unseated jockey Gavin Sheehan.
Watching Queen Camilla was left ‘open-mouthed’ by the thrilling battle, according to observers.
After appearing at Britain’s two biggest festivals – Cheltenham and Aintree – within a month Wendigo is set to head next to the £250,000 Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November, won previously by legends Denman and Arkle.
Jamie said he is likely to have a ‘prep run’ before then.
He then hopes to enter him in next year’s Grand National.
