PADDY FLOOD STEERS VIC VENTURI TO VICTORY IN BECHER HANDICAP CHASE

PADDY FLOOD made it third time lucky over Aintree’s National fences yesterday as he steered topweight Vic Venturi to an impressive victory in the Totesport Becher Handicap Chase.

“That’s better than any drug in the world,” said the 23-year-old.

“I just hope he can come back in April for the National. I’ve had two rides in that, my first was ninth and I fell last year.

“He made a couple of mistakes, but he landed all right. If you don’t land all right you end up on the floor.

“There is no other course like this to ride around. When you get a horse in a rhythm over these fences, there’s nothing like it.”

Vic Venturi certainly put himself bang in the Grand National picture, but he benefited from the complicated handicap system that exists between England and Ireland.

Most Irish horses are rated 10lb or more higher in Britain but as winning trainer Dessie Hughes explained: "The higher rated horses aren’t put up so much.”

Hughes, who won the race last year with Black Apalachi, will be hoping for better luck next April. Black Apalachi took the National field along at a merry old pace last April until he lost his landing gear at Becher’s second time round.

After Vic Venturi had given him a valuable second string to his bow for 2010, Hughes said: “Paddy has given him a brilliant ride and the horse got the trip really well.

“He got into a bit of trouble at the third fence but was fine after that.

“He will go over hurdles after Christmas and then go for the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse after the National weights come out.

“Black Apalachi is in great form and will be ready to run soon.”

Unfortunately, the damage has already been done to Vic Venturi’s handicap mark. He ran off 148 yesterday and handicapper Phil Smith will have an “Aintree factor” penalty to consider.

Black Apalachi was put up 15lb for his Becher Chase romp last season and a similar amount for Vic Venturi would put him right at the top of the National handicap.

Totesport slashed his big race odds to 16-1 favourite, but Ladbrokes and William Hill go 25-1.

Earlier Jamie Moore enjoyed one of his biggest wins since returning from an ankle injury to land Dev a bold-jumping winner of the Grand Sefton Chase over the same fences.

But any talk of a National bid was quickly shot down by the rider, who said: “He wouldn’t get the trip in anaeroplane!”

Noel Quinlan, brother of trainer Mick, said: “I suppose the way he jumped, he could come back here for the Topham.

“I don’t think I have ever seen a horse jump Becher’s like he did.”

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