For only the third time in nearly a century, the Grand National Hurdle and Grand National Steeplechase double has been completed, with the Shane Jackson-trained Andy Win striding to a dominant 12-length victory in the 2026 edition of the feature over fences at Ballarat.
The jumping scene is certainly different compared to when Mosstrooper completed the same feat in 1930 at Flemington, but the emotion surrounding the achievement remains the same for participants, especially after Andy Win ($3.30 favourite) overcame what could have been a disastrous injury in the days leading into the race.
“I’m not an emotional sort of person but it has been a rollercoaster with this horse and it has been a stressful week,” Jackson said.
“I can tell people now that this horse schooled here on Monday and he’d come out with a bloody foot abscess.
“Thankfully I have a great farrier in Ballarat and my brilliant vets in Warrnambool. I’m lost for words. This is peak.”
Prior to 2008, the Hurdle and Steeplechase features were run a week apart, but the fortnight between the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown on August 2 and this 4500-metre test put Andy Win’s achievement alongside Tallyho Twinkletoe, who completed the same double in 2019 and Mosstrooper in 1930.
Significantly, Andy Win won his maiden over jumps as recently as last May.
Jockey Tom Ryan notched his second Grand National Steeplechase victory since 2011.
“He was a bit flat over the third last fence but when I got stuck into him, he came alive.”
Earlier on the card, Ryan steered short-priced favourite The Cunning Fox ($1.60) to a last-gasp victory in the JJ Houlihan Hurdle after the second elect opened up a lead of more than 20 lengths with a lap to go in the 3250m three-horse contest.
“Horses like Andy Win and The Cunning Fox, they’re just warriors,” Ryan added.
The above article is posted on Justhorseracing.com
Andy Win takes out the Grand National Steeplechase by 12 lengths
The landmark 12-length win banished a Grand National nightmare for Jackson and Ryan after Noonday Gun loomed to win last year only to stumble over the final flight.
There were no such concerns on Sunday as Andy Win, who only switched from the flat races to jumps in May, flew the last of 15 obstacles en route to an “emotional” 4500m victory.
“It shows you how important jumps racing is,” Jackson said.
“This horse would do well to win a (Benchmark) 58 on the flat and he’s won probably $300,000-$400,000 prizemoney in a (jumps) season.
“To start as a maiden hurdler at the May Carnival and to progress, let alone to run over steeplechase fencing in the same season … all credit to the horse.
“He’s as tough as old boots and we love him to bits.”
The above was written by Gilbert Gardiner on Racenet.