Having twice won the Foxhunters Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree, Cheshire trainer Joe O’Shea added the Princess Royal Hunters’ Chase at The Festival to his CV today when Barton Snow (9-2) got the better of 7-2 Favourite Its On The Line by a neck.

Winning trainer Joe O’Shea said: “He’s a peach of a horse and he’s given him a peach of a ride. I’ve won everything now and I don’t have to stay in the game anymore. That’s it. I’ll retire after Stratford. I’ve had enough.

“I don’t come here too often. I’m an Aintree and Haydock man. This is an Aintree horse and today was a bonus. I didn’t want to come but the owners said we are coming, and they pay the bills, so I said okay. Henry was told to look after him in case anything went wrong, because he’s a natural for Aintree. Once that’s over it’s goodbye from me.”

Successful jockey Henry Crow said: “Amazing - he’s such a class horse and I knew I was on the best horse all the way. He was travelling, jumping - I know him so well; I ride him every day at Joe’s - and I know how good he is. Coming up the hill I just had to keep hold of him - I know Derek’s idles like hell, so I didn’t want to help him, so I just had to keep hold of him and then when I decided to go, go, and he went away and won.

“I am incredibly privileged to ride for Joe, and I just feel so proud.”

Derek O’Connor, rider of runner-up It’s On The Line, said: “It’s frustrating but he’s an incredible horse. Four Festivals, four seconds, but he runs his heart out and he’s done the same today. He’s only been beaten by a fancied horse. Barton Snow is an incredible horse and he got a great ride. He stalked me and watched everything I was doing.

“There was a glimmer of hope when the winner walked through the last but it wasn’t to be, and full credit to him. I’m bitterly disappointed to be honest, but we’ll go to Aintree and we’ll go to Punchestown and he’ll make amends.”

Kelly Morgan, trainer of the third Music Drive, said: “I am so proud of him. We only have a handful of horses at home, and I’m proud even to be coming here. When you see that Gordon Elliott had his first winner of the week yesterday, and you see how many horses he brought here, and we’ve only got one dart to throw, it’s unreal. To be back in this winner’s enclosure is fantastic.

“Ellie has given him an absolute peach. She’s so under-rated. She’s got the coolest head on her and just rode a lovely race. I actually think we could have done with a slightly stronger gallop, which sounds crazy, but he stays all day and loves this place.”

Jockey Ellie Callwood added: “He travelled so well; I got just where I wanted to be at the start, and coming down the hill I thought I had a squeak. He always runs a good race, that horse, he always tries and he wears his heart on his sleeve.”

Paul Nicholls, trainer of the fourth Golden Son, said: “I’ve had at the back of my mind that three and a quarter miles is far enough for him, and it was probably was, but Olive gave him a brilliant ride so I think Aintree next time over two miles six, Aintree fences and a flat track will suit him much better. I’m thrilled with him - he’s such a wonderful horse. The Delahayes were kind enough to let me buy him off them last year for Olive to ride, and he’s been brilliant. What a wonderful horse he is, and Aintree here we come.”

Joe O’Shea – 1 Cheltenham Festival win
Mr Henry Crow – 1 Cheltenham Festival win