Trainer Joe O’Shea won the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase over the Grand National fences for the third time when Barton Snow (7-4 Favourite) 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).

Joe O’Shea 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.”

Winning jockey Henry Crow added: “It was fantastic. He won it very, very well. They went a good gallop and the ground was properly soft, but he did it well. There wasn’t a single error - he probably wasn’t as fluent as he is over regulation fences, but he still jumped well. I was happy all the way. To be honest, the race went perfectly again as planned. They went a good gallop all the way and he cruised into it - I just had to sit there, really. I know the horse, when to keep a hold of him and when to let him roll a bit, but when you’ve got a horse like that, it makes it so much easier. We know up the gallops how good he is, and Joe’s got some very, very good ones at home.

“I’m the first Crow to be on this roll of honour, but all the praise should go to Joe - I feel very grateful he put me on. It’s all down to him. He gave me my very first ride and my very first winner and without him, I wouldn't be here today.”

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.”

Myles Osborne, trainer of the third Take All, said: “It’s amazing - Sam’s first ride round here, my first runner. To give him a spin like that - he’s been a horse of a lifetime for me and for Sam’s family. He’s run at two consecutive Cheltenham Festivals but didn't quite get up the hill and we thought this would be an ideal race for him. We took him to Lambourn to school over the Aintree fences a couple of weeks ago and you’ve never seen anything like it - it was amazing. We knew then that this race was right up his street. It’s just amazing to be here and to be standing here third. We can’t thank Shark Hanlon, who recommended this horse to me, enough. He said he’d take us to these big days, and he’s done exactly that with great credit.”

Samuel Scott, rider of Take All, added: “That was absolutely incredible from start to finish. He travelled and jumped so well, and I owe everything I’ve done so far in my career to that horse. We bought him off Shark Hanlon for not much about a year and a half ago. I won my first point-to-point on him, my first hunter chase - he’s honestly just been a star for me and my family. This is my first Foxhunters ride. I rode him at Cheltenham a month ago and that was one of the best buzzes of my life, but this might top it! My family and I are so happy - he jumps for fun, he does everything right and he’s taught me so much over the past couple of years."