Inthepocket (3-1 favourite) won Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle the Grade One Air Charter Services Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Ladies Day at the 2023 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse.
Henry De Bromhead's six-year-old, who had been to Marine Nationale in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at last month's Cheltenham Festival, grabbed a first Grade One victory at Aintree.
The JP McManus-owned gelding, who was a Grade Two winner at Navan earlier in the season, was sent off the 3-1 favourite. And under Rachael Blackmore Inthepocket finally landed a first win at the top level. Blackmore had the six-year-old close to the pace throughout and moved into the lead halfway coming over the second last flight. And Inthepoclet galloped on well to score by a length-and three-quarters from Strong Leader (14-1), who came was back to take the runner-up spot. Luccia (7-1) was a further length back in fourth with Hansard not far behind that pair in fourth.
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De Bromhead, who will saddle two runners – Ain't That A Shame and Gabbys Cross in his bid for a second victory in the Grand National on Saturday, said: "The Supreme form looks very good, I'm delighted with that and I think that is our first Grade One winner for the McManus family so really happy with that. He warmed into it, he was a little bit slow over the first couple but he's a horse we've always thought a lot of and it's nice to see him go and prove it. I was a bit worried about coming back after Cheltenham, but it didn't make a difference. He was really good. I imagine he'll be going in a field now and then we'll see. He's obviously got good size and scope so we'll see, there are no plans at the moment."
He added: "I'm open minded about next year. There's been some good novices this season. He won a nice race at Naas then it was a bit of a funny race at the Dublin Racing Festival before he ran a nice race at Cheltenham in the Supreme. But he's growing up with every run. He's got pace and he says, he's a really exciting horse."
Blackmore will partner De Bromhead's Ain't That A Shame in the big one and the horse has been backed into 8-1 favouritism for the race, chiefly due to who will be in the saddle.
Blackmore added: "I was always happy and if anything I got carried into it a bit too soon because it is a long way to the line from the back of the last. Dropping my stick didn't help either, but we got away with it."
