Amateur jockey David Maxwell to ride in Grand National after buying leading Irish racehorse Ain’t That A Shame

9 months ago 64

AMATEUR jockey David Maxwell has splashed out to secure himself a big ride in the Grand National.

The real estate entrepreneur has bought Ain’t That A Shame, who won the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park last month, to ride in the big’un at Aintree.

The 10-year-old, who used to run in the pink, white and black colours of powerful Irish outfit Robcour, is a top-price 33s for the National and he will stay in training with Henry de Bromhead in County Waterford.

The horse was sent off a 10-1 shot in the race last year and ran well for a long way under Rachael Blackmore before getting tired on the run to two out.

But he will head back to Liverpool with a career-best at Gowran under his belt, having stayed on strongly through the mud to win one of Ireland’s most prestigious handicap chases.

Maxwell has experience of riding over the National fences, but this will be his first ride in the world’s most famous jumps race.

And now he says he has to ‘keep his excitement in check’ as he tries to follow in the footsteps of other amateur winners of the National like Sam Waley-Cohen and Marcus Armytage.

He said: “They are hard to find, these National horses, they don’t often get sold but this lad was available so it was a no-brainer.

“I was shooting in Ireland and I asked one of the guys I was with to keep an eye out for a National horse for me – two days later he rang and said he had one for me.

“He has a weight I can do, 10st 9lb, but I will be hungry for a few weeks before Aintree.

“He is a nice safe jumper, my sole concern was that he is quite strong, he pulled Rachael Blackmore’s arms out a couple of times.

“But they go plenty quick enough in the National and we should get a lot of cover, so it should be fine. I’ll hold on tight.

“He will be a lovely horse for veterans chases next year, as well. So it’s an investment for the next couple of seasons.”

Maxwell, who rides all of his own horses, has taken plenty of stick from punters over the years given his unique style in the saddle.

He continued: “Everyone has an opinion and they are very much entitled to it, of course.

“For me, it’s a lifetime ambition to ride in the National, I am just trying to remain calm between now and then. I’ll pretend it’s the Foxhunters when I’m going round!”

The betting for the Aintree marathon is headed by Gavin Cromwell’s runner Vanillier, who finished second to Corach Rambler last year.

The weights for the Grand National were released last month, with Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Hewick set to carry top-weight of 11st 10lb next month.