Aintree: In sixth start, Grey Dawning lands first local win in Melling Chase
AINTREE, England – In his sixth attempt, the 9-year-old gelding Grey Dawning finally won at Aintree Racecourse in Friday’s Grade 1 Melling Chase at 2 1/2 miles.
The $335,500 Melling Chase was the leading steeplechase on Friday’s second day of the three-day Grand National meeting. The $1.34 million Grand National steeplechase will be run on Saturday.
Grey Dawning, part of a field of seven, was always well-placed. Ridden by Harry Skelton, Grey Dawning stalked the pace for the first two miles, reached contention five fences from the finish and took the lead at the final fence.
Grey Dawning, who paid $9.40 in American pools and was 5-1 with British bookmakers, won by a neck over a stubborn rival in 7-1 Solness, who disputed the pace.
Heart Wood, the 4-5 favorite, finished third, beaten 11 1/4 lengths.
Grey Dawning has won Grade 1 races at Cheltenham Racecourse and Haydock Park in the last two years. Prior to Saturday, his best results at Aintree were second-place finishes in a novices’ hurdle in 2022, and a second to Gaelic Warrior in the Grade 1 Bowl Chase at 3 3/16 miles last yar.
Grey Dawning, trained by Harry’s brother Dan, won the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park in November, and was fourth behind Gaelic Warrior in the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup at 3 5/16 miles on March 13 at 16-1.
The Melling Chase was one of four Grade 1 races on a seven-race program that was not without tragedy.
Gold Dancer ($6.80) won the $161,000 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at 3 1/8 miles, but sustained an injury after the finish and could not be saved, according to Eddie O’Leary, the racing manager for owner Gigginstown House Stud.
Gold Dancer was leading under jockey Paul Townend at the final fence when he landed awkwardly. Townend urged Gold Dancer to the finish, winning by 4 3/4 lengths over Regent’s Stroll. Townend quicky dismounted. Gold Dancer was diagnosed with a back injury, O’Leary said.
Gold Dancer won five of 14 starts.
In the following race, Storming George ($31) closed from off the pace to win a $134,200 novices’ hurdle at 2 1/16 miles by 2 ¾ lengths over 9-2 Sinnatra.
Sober Glory, the 1-2 favorite, set the pace to the third-to-last of nine hurdles before fading from contention, finishing fourth of six.
Storming George, ridden by Jack Quinlan for trainer Neil King, won the third time in his seventh start. Friday’s race was worth $134,200 and is Storming George’s richest win. The race was the first Grade 1 victory for King, who has trained since 1993.
Zeus Power, a promising 5-year-old gelding, won his first Grade 1 in the $134,200 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at 3 1/16 miles, overcoming a critical jumping error at the second-to-last fence.
Ridden by J.J. Slevin, Zeus Power ($7) rallied to win by 2 3/4 lengths over 43-1 Catchintsavo. Johnny’s Jury, the 2-1 favorite, finished third in a field of 12.
Zeus Power is trained by Joseph O’Brien, who is well known for his success with flat runners but also has a jump racing division of his stable.
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