Jetoile stuns Old Roan rivals to give tearful Potter biggest win

Ryan Potter described stable flagbearer Jetoile as a ‘superstar’ after securing the trainer with the biggest success of his career when springing a surprise success in the Jewson Fast Set Finish Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase at Aintree today.

Tears of joy threatened to trickle down the face of the jubilant 35-year-old after the gelded son of Jeremy took his form to new heights when defying his 25-1 price tag in the Grade Two feature at the Merseyside venue.

Having chased home Constitution Hill in the 2022 Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown Park much was expected of the eight-year-old in his first campaign of fences last season but it wasn’t until late on in the season with a brace of wins at Chepstow he began to show his hand.

Much of the running in the two and a half miles prize was cut out by eventual runner-up Minella Drama, who after putting in assured round of jumping over the 10 fences that were left in the race following the omission of the obstacles in the home straight, led the field in as they headed for home.

After being front rank for much of the race Minella Drama still held sway as the field weaved past the first two omitted obstacles in the home straight before he was joined by Jetoile passing what would have been the last fence.

Despite being dismissed by the bookmakers Jetoile showed his true colours when asked the question by Daryl Jacob to forge ahead when it mattered most and cross the line a length and three-quarters clear of Minella Drama.

Potter, who was also saddling his first winner at Aintree, said: “At the start of last season we thought he was going to be one of the top novice chasers in the country. He slipped at Cheltenham and he lost his confidence and it took him until the end of season to get it back. I know he didn’t beat loads, but he was so impressive at Chepstow.

“I’m under no illusions that a lot of these big yards will be using this race as a stepping stone, but I had him ready for today as I felt it was a great opportunity so I had him fit. The bookmakers might have dismissed his chances but I didn’t.

“I ride him every day and he has been working unbelievable at home. He is a yard superstar and I will probably never have another one like him. I’m only in my third season training and this is extraordinary. I’m nearly crying.

“This has been since the target since the day we turned him out after winning at Chepstow. I’m hoping because the fences were out that the handicapper won’t be so hard on him as if the fences were in he would have won easier. All he does is jump and travel. The fences being out has hopefully done us a favour with the handicapper.”

With one Grade Two success now in the locker, Jetoile could bid for another victory at the same level after the Sellack-based handler earmarked the Fitzdares Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on December 10th as a possible target.

Potter continued: “He has to either go for the Peterborough Chase or the December Gold Cup. If I was a lot bolder I would have put an entry in for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, but I didn’t want to get ahead of myself.

“I’d say at this moment in time we will probably go for the Peterborough Chase, but we will enjoy today.

“Not all the staff are here today so we will have a bit of a party in the week. This is my third season training and to win a Grade Two is unbelievable.”

A re-match with the runner-up could be on cards with Donald McCain, trainer of Minella Drama, hinting that a trip to the Cambridgeshire track in December will be given consideration.

McCain said: “He is a wonderful little racehorse. He is a bit wild, and Brian (Hughes) makes it look a lot more simple than it is.

“You would have to think the way he was going around when they were jumping that he would have won. It is a great start to the season, and we will have to try and let him have his big day somewhere.

“He is the type of horse that we believe will always run well to be placed in a Grade One as he always runs his race.

“His ideal scenario would be running between two and a half miles and two and three-quarter miles, going right-handed on slow ground.

“You have the Peterborough Chase, and those sorts of races, so we would have to have think of having a go at something like that.

“He takes some managing, but he is a wonderful racehorse and he always gives his best.”