By JARROD POTTER
THE historians and bookie-room storytellers were all against Wells.
Bashboy – ridden by Berwick jockey Steven Pateman – going for its third Grand National Steeplechase in a row, and Sea King looking to back up its Grand National Hurdle victory and become the first horse to win the double since Mosstrooper in 1930.
There was no history-defining feat on the line for Kathryn Durden’s six-year-old gelding out of Galileo and Embraceable You.
Wells had never run the distance – the stable defining 4500m classic – but with nearly 10 kilograms less than Bashboy in the saddle, it was able to storm away to clinch the five-length victory in its first race over the high jumps.
With some bumping and jostling after the second last jump between Bashboy and Sea King, it left the door open for Wells who charged away to take the $250,000 season-ending jumps race and nearly double the horse’s career winnings.
Durden said Wells was gearing up for his first steeplechase event and wasn’t daunted by the long odds or the calibre of the field at Sportingbet Park, Sandown.
“We always thought he’d jump the fence better so that was the plan the whole time,” Durden said.
“He had the ability and we thought this was the natural way to go.
“We bought him off Lloyd Williams so he’s been with us since he was a three-year-old… and he’s been a really good horse for the stable.”
Wells’ jockey John Allen said he nestled in behind Bashboy and Sea King and seized his moment at the end to capture the quarter-million dollar race.
“He was running second last and Richie was conscious of Steve on the outside and tried to stop him,” Allen said.
“I got a comfy run in behind them (Pateman and Richard Cully).
“I felt I was travelling so good that I had to win or I’d let it down… and it did… the perfect race and I think the rest is history.”
Patrick Payne had earlier success on the card, winning the J.J. Houlahan Hurdle with his seven-year-old gelding Fieldmaster.
