Beau Morgan will never forget Twig, the ten-year-old gelding who tomorrow will provide him with his first ride in the £1m Randox Grand National (4.00) at Aintree.
Of his debut in the most famous steeplechase, Morgan says: “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m just so relieved the horse has got in and will make the line-up.”
Morgan endured a tense day on Monday when five-day declarations were made and the Ben Pauling-trained Twig became the final horse guaranteed a run. He has since been joined by Duffle Coat near the foot of the handicap, while four reserves were this morning on stand-by in case of a late defection.
Morgan says: “On Monday I kept hitting the refresh button while watching the declarations and just hoping he would get in. I’ve watched every single Grand National since I can remember, so to be a part of this year’s race is amazing.”
Twig has been at Morgan’s side through some of his most memorable racing experiences, beginning in March 2011 when the then teenager (pictured above aged 16) rode in his first race, a point-to-point at Maisemore Park in Gloucestershire. At that time the horse was trained near Bath by Matt Hampton, who selected a maiden race for six-year-olds and over for the new combination to make their racing debut.
Showing a cool head Morgan steered Twig to a comfortable win, and a couple of months later they landed a restricted race in Devon at Upcott Cross. The following season they won another five races, including hunters’ chases at Exeter and Worcester.
Twig (left) with trainer Matt Hampton and stable companion Wagner during his time on Britain's point-to-point circuit (Ce)
Before joining Hampton Twig had run twice without making the frame in bumpers for trainer Ben Pauling, but after he had found the winning thread in point-to-points it was time for him to go back to his former stable and for Morgan to take out a conditional jockeys’ licence.
The partnership was soon back in the winner’s enclosure, and has added three hurdle and four chase wins to their CV. No less importantly was their runner-up spot in last year’s Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
Morgan says: “After Cheltenham last year we put together a plan in the hope of protecting his handicap mark and hoping to get a run in the Grand National. So he didn’t go back to Cheltenham this season and he’s been running over hurdles. I think he got a bit bored with that, and when he ran back over fences at Doncaster [on March 1] he didn’t run as well as we hoped. Ben said, ‘Don’t worry, you’ll see a different horse next time out’.
“On Monday I schooled him over Aintree fences and couldn’t believe how good he felt. He was electric. It’s been a difficult season, because I had a ban and was injured, but my last ride on Tamar Bridge was a winner and I’m hoping to end on a high.”
Morgan left Pauling’s yard and joined Warwickshire trainer Olly Murphy earlier this season, and he rides Alnilam for his current boss at Aintree this afternoon.
He says: “It will be good to be at the course for the ride on Friday. I don’t get too stressed out about riding in races. I’ve not ridden in the National, but I think that you can go out with a plan and it is soon ended. Horse that jump and travel will be prominent on the first circuit. I’ll probably aim to go middle to outer and keep out of trouble.
“My parents Georgia [who owns Twig] and Arron, and my brother Luca [who rode Twig in one of his first two bumpers] will all be there. We bought the horse for almost nothing and for me he’s been a dream.”