Splendid victory for Smith

James Smith and the reliable Simply Splendid pick up grand prix honours, while a “sentimental” mare heads the 51-strong B&C qualifier

- SARAH RADFORD

Winter Classic, Aintree Equestrian Centre, Merseyside

JAMES SMITH has established a decent pool of horses at 1.40m grand prix, but it was his reliable grey Simply Splendid who proved once again that he was the most competitive of the bunch when he stormed the big class.

The 11-year-old gelding who “always tries” had already laid down some strong form in Aintree’s main arena, having collected a second place in Friday’s 1.40m, as well as finishing runner-up in the grand prix qualifier at the preceding week’s championship show. This time, he topped the £2,000 main event when he came away 0.88sec ahead of a field of more than 40 starters after producing one of three double clears.

William Whitaker and the classy 11-year-old mare Eribelle N had looked in strong contention when they delivered a very smooth and economical bid from second of six jump-off contenders. However, their lead was shortlived as next-in James and the ultra-consistent son of Ustinov found the extra ground speed to claw the advantage.

A save from Keith Shore, who narrowly avoided going out the side door on Mystic Hurricane, left him picking up third, a clear four seconds off the pace, while a superb bid from Robert Murphy and Elan V had to settle for fourth after they axed 0.84sec from the target time, but tipped the first part of the double.

“I watched William go as I was in straight after him and I saw the line he did back inside to the black oxer and I knew if I did the same I wouldn’t be far away,” James said. “I wasn’t quite as smooth but Simply Splendid is naturally fast.”