No more retirement talk for 10-year-old Grand National fourth Santini
Santini team eager to take Cheltenham Gold Cup test
Santini run a stormer for Polly Gundry in the 2022 Aintree Grand National, finishing fourth at 33/1 and now talk of retirement has been put to bed.
Santini's stout staying performance to run home fourth in the 2022 Aintree Grand National has convinced connections to bin any plans for retirement.
The 10-year-old got the closest to the top three of Noble Yeats, Any Second Now and Delta Work, defying odds of 33/1.
Formerly with Nicky Henderson, Polly Gundry has breathed new life into the gelding, finishing second in the Cotswold Chase in January before running a huge race at Aintree last week.
Santini's build-up to the National was fairly relaxed, being sent on long ride outs and hunting, a move which paid off against some more established market leaders.
Talking after the big race Hundry said "He's very well, he just slightly nicked his hind coronet band but he's as sound as anything and we're very happy with where he is," she said.
"We were thrilled with him, I felt I might have over-done the jumping because I was very aware that horses that go there not having been around the National fences aren't always as good as the horses that have experience, so I was trying to play catch up a little bit.
"I couldn't have been prouder of what he did, he was pretty perfect.
"He is such a professional horse and Nick Scholfield just did the most amazing job.
"They have a very lovely bond, the two of them, and they just admire each other so we are very lucky."
Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes, Santini's owners have kicked any thoughts of retirement into the long grass.
"Initially Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes thought this might be his last season, but on Saturday evening Richard said 'what do you think about another season?' and I said 'I'm game if you are!'," Gundry explained.
"We certainly haven't got any plans yet or possible races, but he will stay in training
"He's been very, very well looked after by Nicky Henderson and he's not a difficult horse to love to bits, so as soon as Richard felt he wasn't going well last year, he changed things and decided to send him to me.
"He's been very well looked after throughout, firstly by Nicky Henderson and then hopefully by us before and after."
