Sunday 12 April 2015 16:31, UK
Tom George was left reflecting on what might have been following Saint Are's gallant effort in the Crabbie's Grand National.
Saint Are made strong late headway to be a clear second in the Aintree spectacular on Saturday, just a length and three-quarters behind the winner, Many Clouds.
The Slad trainer has only had Saint Are a year and believes he can eke out further improvement for the 2016 renewal.
"He's taken the race unbelievably well. He actually wasn't too tired immediately after the race and he only lost around 14 kilos, which is what a horse will normally lose in a hurdle race," said George.
"He's out in the field and seems as happy as Larry this morning, so we're delighted with him.
"I'm obviously thrilled with the way he's run. He hit a bit of a flat spot at the Elbow and he's then run on again at the finish.
"I suppose at the back of my mind I'm wondering if they hadn't moved the start forward 150 yards, would it have made a difference?
"Take nothing away from the winner, who is a class horse and won under a big weight, so hats off to him.
"I've had my horse a year now, I've got to know him pretty well and I think we might be able to get some more improvement out of him next season.
"He's still a relatively young horse and there's no reason why he shouldn't improve again."
Monbeg Dude will also be aimed at next year's race after he improved on his seventh place in 2014 to take third spot, six lengths behind Saint Are.
Trainer Michael Scudamore reports the 10-year-old, whose syndicate of owners include former England rugby union star Mike Tindall, to have taken the race well.
"He's really good this morning. He's eaten up everything and seems good and well in himself," said the Ross-on-Wye handler.
"I'm definitely more delighted than frustrated. I'm just so proud of the horse for going there and improving on last year.
"He has his own way of doing things with his jumping, but he was great yesterday and had to pretty nimble on his feet at Becher's first time.
"Jumping the last I thought that maybe we had a chance if the front two had gone a bit hard, but as it turned out they all got tired at the same point.
"He's done enough for this season and having another crack next year has to be high on the agenda.
"We'll sit down with his owners at some point and work out the best way to get him there and give him the best possible chance."
Alvarado will try to make it third time lucky next April after finishing fourth for the second successive year, giving a first four finish for jockey Paul Moloney and owners Mr and Mrs William Rucker for the seventh year running.
"He's absolutely fine, he's out in the field and seems 100%," said trainer Fergal O'Brien. "He's a little bit tired. He put everything into it again this year and we were thrilled to bits with him.
"We probably won't run him again this season. I'll have to speak to the Ruckers but hopefully we'll get him home, give him a nice break and start him off a bit earlier next year.
"It was the seventh time placed in a row for Paul Moloney and the Ruckers. It's incredible. No one deserves it more than the Ruckers. They put an awful lot into it."
Royale Knight could run again in the next couple of weeks after appearing to take his National run in his stride, according to his trainer Dr Richard Newland.
He might even turn out next Saturday in the Coral Scottish Grand National or the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on April 25.
The nine-year-old, running at Aintree for the first time, took to the fences like a duck to water as he finished a commendable sixth. He did better than his illustrious stablemate, last year's winner Pineau De Re, who got round in 12th place.
"They both seem fine. I'm not quite sure what the plans are," said Newland.
"We haven't decided what we are going to do for the rest of the year, whether that's it for the season, or have another run.
"Royale Knight is absolutely bouncing and he may run again. He's in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and he's in the Scottish National next week. I haven't ruled that out yet as he's so well, but I don't know. We are going to canter him tomorrow and see after that.
"I thought Royale Knight ran a fantastic race. I think both horses were slightly inconvenienced by the ground having dried up. It was a very fast time. Our horses probably wanted it slowed down a little bit.
"Pineau ran a good race too, but he wasn't quite the force he was last year."
Tranquil Sea has been retired following his courageous effort to finish seventh in the Aintree showpiece. Trainer Warren Greatrex believes the 13-year-old has nothing left to prove after putting in a big display.
"Tranquil Sea ran the race of his life. I was very happy with him," said Greatrex.
"Tranquil Sea will be retired now. He's been brilliant. He's 13 and he gave it everything. "He was very tried afterwards and I don't want to ask any more questions of him.
"He's a lovely horse. I'm not sure what the owner will want to do with him, but he'll have a great retirement. "He's been a favourite. I've only had him for two seasons, but it's been great taking him to Cheltenham and Aintree. He's been a great horse."
Tranquil Sea was previously trained in Ireland by Edward O'Grady for whom his victories included two at Grade One level and the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 2009.
Greatrex felt his other National runner, Dolatulo, did quite stay the distance when last of the 19 finishers.
"Dolatulo ran well but just possibly didn't stay and his saddle did slip a bit as well," said the Upper Lambourn handler.
"He's finished for the year now and his big port of call next season will be the Becher Chase."
The Druids Nephew was going ominously well in front when he came down at the fifth-last. Apart from being stiff, the Cheltenham Festival winner was reported by his trainer Neil Mulholland to be none the worse for the experience.
"I'm just glad he had an easy fall and we have him for another day, He's a bit stiff this morning after doing the splits, but otherwise he's fine," he said.
"He was cantering at the time. Aidan (Coleman) said although he was going well in front, he was only doing a half-speed. He was going too well if anything and was probably enjoying it too much.
"He winged Becher's and was just loving it. We're very happy with what we've got and that'll be him for the season now."
Oscar Time is also being retired after continuing his excellent record over the big fences by completing the course in 15th place when the oldest horse in the race at the age of 14.
His owner-trainer Robert Waley-Cohen feels it is the right decision as he added another clear round in the National to back up his second place in 2011 and fourth in 2013. He also won the Becher Chase in December.
"He's come out of the race incredibly well. He's in great order, but I think we'll call it a day and let him do something else he really enjoys," said Waley-Cohen.
"He might just help the young horses along or he might go hunting, anything bar racing. "He's been a wonderful horse to us. He's in great order and deserves some fun."
