Barton Snow completes big spring Foxhunters double

Image © The Jockey Club /  Grossick Photography.

Trainer Joe O’Shea won the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase over the Grand National fences for the third time when Barton Snow followed up on his success in the equivalent race at Cheltenham last month with a facile seven-length victory.
 
O’Shea’s previous wins in the race came with Cousin Pascal (2021) and Gracchus De Balme (2025).

The eight-year-old son of Snow Sky had started his racing career with Willie Murphy, with his initial success coming at Dromahane in April 2023, and just like at Cheltenham, the Carlow handler was on hand to lead up for his former charge for O’ Shea.
 
The winning trainer said: We don’t know how good he is. He does this at home every day.
 
“If NASA had phoned me I could have got them to the moon and back in nine days, and it’s taking them 10.
 
“He’s an amazing horse, and again Henry says he’s done it in third gear. We first realised how good he was at Stratford last year, and he doesn't just do 37 miles an hour for 100yards - he keeps it up. I just wish my other two had been second and third as I had the tricast for half a million quid!”
 
On his decision to retire at the end of season, he added: “If I don't give it up the consultant says I’m going to die. I’ve got to walk away or die. I’ve had a quadruple heart bypass and I’m putting myself under too much pressure he says.
 
“And we’ve got one better at home. We’ve got a horse called Boley Bob, who is by the same stallion, Snow Sky, and he’s won four out of four for me. He’ll win in two weeks’ time at Hexham and if I do decide to stay it won’t be because of Barton Snow, it will be because of Boldy Bob and he’s another dodgepot like him - he stops in front. Watch out for him. He’s brilliant.”
 
There were just two Irish challengers in the line-up this year, and Lets Go Champ, winner of the Tetretema Cup at Gowran last month, gave Sophie Carter a dream spin, with the Mags Mullins-trained 11-year-old coming from off the pace to finish second.

Sophie Carter, rider of the second Lets Go Champ, said: “That was unbelievable. I’m very privileged to ride a horse like him and he gave me a great spin. 

“They went a bit quick for him on that ground but at the third last I knew I was going to run into a nice position. It’s my first time at Aintree and it’s nice to get it done. I’ll be looking forward to riding here again next year.”

It’s On The Line, who had won the 2024 edition, was struggling from an early stage under Derek O’Connor and ultimately finished a disappointing ninth.