Awesome Adrian won the Grand National Steeplechase over Road to Oz
- Details
- April 22, 2024
- By SARA CAVANAGH
BUTLER, Md.--Awesome Adrian jumped beautifully while running second before taking over the lead with about a mile to go to and then extending his lead to win by 4 1/2 lengths in the $35,000, 3 1/4 mile Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday, April 20..
Awesome Adrian, owned by Nancy A. Reed, trained by Kathy Neilson and ridden by Teddy Davies, finished in 6:37 4/5, to beat second placed Road to Oz, trained by Mark Beecher, with Shootist, trained by Tod McKenna, placing third and Great Road, trained by Joe Davis, finishing fourth.
"Nancy bred Awesome Adrian," said Neilson. "We're so lucky to have had him since he was a yearling. He doubles as a foxhunter and a timber horse. He loves foxhunting, and he loves timber racing. He's been a point of joy for both Nancy and me."
"He was going to go either to the Maryland Hunt Cup or Willowdale," said Neilson. "I asked Nancy what she wanted to do, and she said, `I'll see you at Willowdale.' I'm fine with that."
In the Grand National Timber Stakes, Goodoldtimes pulled up and Withoutmoreado, prepping for the Maryland Hunt Cup that he won last year, lost his rider, Conor Tierney, at the eighth fence but continued on to jump all the fences without a rider, getting a good school for trainer Neilson.
Tierney, who had sprained his ankle two weeks ago, was fine after the fall and returned to ride in the next race.