Heidi Palin claims career highlight in Aintree bumper

It was a red-letter day for amateur rider Heidi Palin who completed a four-timer for trainer Dan Skelton on Grand National day aboard Forthfactor in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

A winner at Hereford and Hexham before finishing fifth behind 15-8 favourite Bass Hunter in Listed company at Ascot in December, Forthfactor was sent off a 10-1 chance with the stable seemingly having stronger claims with Risky Obsession.

However, the last action on Aintree’s big day belonged to Palin who having ridden the five-year-old the last twice, was patience personified in the closing stages as she delayed asking her mount for maximum effort.

Grand National-winning jockey Paul Townend was two and a half lengths adrift on the runner-up, Willie Mullins’ Look Me, with the victory capping a successful three days on Merseyside for Skelton, who heads home with six winners to his name.

“I’m made up for Heidi, she has done all the work on him, won those races and rode him under a penalty,” said Skelton, who is closing in on his first champion trainer title.

“He was probably the one we trained specifically for this race. We wanted to come here with Risky Obsession and he is a good horse, but his run at Newbury probably left its mark on him. That is my fault and I put my hands up, but he is a good horse.

“But Forthfactor is the one we picked out that would end up being at Aintree. He had a winter break and we really prepped him for this.

“However, no matter how much you prep them, they still have to go and deliver.

“He does hang, as you saw in the closing stages, and I would say Heidi couldn’t wait to get over to the rail. But she’s done very well and was without her claim in that race. We stuck with her and she has repaid us. It’s a big day for her.”

Reflecting on the Grand National fixture, Skelton added: “We’ve had a fabulous meeting and the horses have been brilliant. We’ll head north to Ayr next and then we’ll be at Sandown.”