Racing Post – Written by David Baxter
Attaglance: defied top weight to land Aintree’s Listed handicap hurdle. (c) John Grossick
13th April 2012
HAVING waited over 30 years to have a winner at Aintree, Malcolm Jefferson now has two in as many days after Attaglance emulated stablemate Cape Tribulation by defying top weight in the Listed 2m4f handicap hurdle for a length and three-quarters win.
The similarities do not stop there, as like Thursday winner Cape Tribulation, Attaglance came into the race off the back of a Cheltenham Festival win, landing the Martin Pipe Hurdle last month, and coped with a rise to top weight for another competitive contest.
Jefferson said: “He was never on the bridle but he’s tough and he gallops. He always gives you a good feel and is a lovely horse, very straightforward.”
For jockey Harry Haynes what a difference 12 months makes. After taking a pearler from Bible Lord in the Topham at the meeting, he was in Fazakerley Hospital being treated for concussion and dehydration, before another concussion nine days later at Wetherby ruled him out for four and a half months.
Haynes said: “To come back a year on and be in this position is unbelievable. Thanks to everyone involved, Mr Jefferson has given me the opportunity to get back in the winner’s enclosure and to be riding Cheltenham and Aintree winners is massive.”