Upper Cut lands decisive blow in NZ Grand National Steeplechase

Upper Cut
Upper Cut lifted off the canvas to beat Kinda Win and score its second consecutive Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton

TOUGHNESS was on show at Riccarton Park on Saturday as Upper Cut landed the decisive blow to win its second consecutive Grand National Steeplechase.

The 11-year-old son of Yamanin Vital was a long way off the lead set by The Big Opal throughout the 5600m journey, but it fought gamely down the lengthy straight and pick up the leaders over the concluding stages.

Upper Cut finished over 20 lengths behind The Big Opal ($1.90 at Ladbrokes) last time out at Riccarton, but the extra distance was the telling factor as it showed when winning the 2016 edition of the Grand National.

“He’s been a little short throughout this winter,” trainer Mark Oulaghan said. “The run on the first day improved him quiet a bit.

“I think you can put that down to his sire. It won the hurdles on Wednesday, won the chase here today.”

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Oulaghan has been a proficient trainer of stayers in New Zealand and believes Upper Cut is a throwback to what New Zealand racing used to be all about.

“Those tough old staying horses – New Zealand used to be renowned for,” he said. “He goes back into that ilk.”

The Awapuni-based horseman said you need luck to win consecutive Grand Nationals, but the seven-time race winner certainly showed some heart.

“We’ve been lucky and luck goes a long way in racing,” Oulaghan said. “We’ve had luck in the national, no doubt about that.”

Winning jockey Shaun Phelan was aboard Upper Cut when it won last start and he got to relive the happy moment.

“It’s unreal,” a jubilant Phelan said. “Mark Oulaghan is a genius.

“The horse was short of a run on the first day, then he comes out and does that today, it’s unreal.”

Phelan did a good job to let The Big Opal stride clear in front, knowing that there was a query of it seeing out the extreme staying distance.

He switched to the inside and when it looked as though Kina Win had its measure, Upper Cut came off the canvas over the final 100m.

“You just sit there and enjoy the ride,” Phelan said. “I just look good at the end of it.

“These are the races you live and dream for.”

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