As Storm Darragh battered Britain, Sandown Racecourse was one of the few racecourses to get the green light. Conditions were still stormy, equine participants and jockeys alike were met with a ferocious head wind up the home straight.
Soon after Jonbon confirmed himself as the top 2 mile chaser this side of the Irish sea, it was time for the stamina sapping London National, run over 3 and 1/2 plus miles.
As they set off Nico De Bonville kept Mr Vango on a wide course, despite being having the physique of a towering second rower rugby player Mr V likes his own space. Jumping was going smoothly until he parted the birch on the second of the railway fences, De Bonville collected him together and decided heading downhill to the third last it was time to take it up.
Mr Vango is not fast, but his stamina would have him still on the dancefloor long after carriages were due. In a slow motion finish he kept on relentlessly to record a very emotional victory for the Bradstocks. His victory in the Devon National was Mark’s last winner.
A date with Chepstow beckons.
