The Randox Foxhunters’ Chase once again proved a stage for remarkable stories, as Barton Snow delivered a commanding performance to hand trainer Joe O’Shea a third victory in the race over the famous Grand National fences at Aintree Racecourse.
Sent off the 7-4 favourite, Barton Snow arrived with strong credentials after his success in the equivalent contest at Cheltenham last month, and he duly lived up to expectations. Travelling smoothly throughout, he asserted his superiority after the final fences to pull clear for a decisive seven-length victory, confirming his standing among the leading hunter chasers of the season.
O’Shea, who had previously tasted success in the race with Cousin Pascal in 2021 and Gracchus De Balme in 2025, was both jubilant and reflective after the latest triumph. Speaking with characteristic candour, he suggested the full extent of Barton Snow’s ability may still be unknown, describing the horse as exceptional both at home and on the track. His remarks, laced with humour, hinted at the ease with which the gelding handles his racing assignments, often doing only what is required.
Randox Foxhunters’ Chase: A Class Apart at Aintree
From the outset, the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase was run at a strong tempo on testing ground, conditions that often expose weaknesses. Barton Snow, however, appeared entirely at ease. Under a confident ride from Henry Crow, he travelled powerfully before quickening away from his rivals in the closing stages, his jumping largely assured despite the unique demands of the Aintree fences.
Behind the winner, Lets Go Champ stayed on well to claim second, while Take All completed the placings in third, both running with credit in a race that demanded stamina and precision.
For O’Shea, the victory carried additional emotional weight. He revealed that medical advice may force him to step away from training at the end of the season following serious health concerns, including a quadruple heart bypass. Yet even as he contemplates retirement, his passion for the sport remains evident, particularly when discussing promising talent at home, including another unbeaten horse he believes could follow in similar footsteps.
Winning rider Henry Crow was full of praise for both horse and trainer, describing the experience as “fantastic” and emphasising how straightforward the race felt aboard such a talented performer. He highlighted Barton Snow’s ability to travel effortlessly and respond when asked, noting that riding a horse of that calibre simplifies even the most demanding contests. Crow also paid tribute to O’Shea’s role in his career, crediting the trainer with giving him his first opportunities in the saddle.
Sophie Carter, who partnered Lets Go Champ into second, spoke positively about her mount’s effort, acknowledging that the pace and ground conditions tested her horse but expressing satisfaction with the performance, particularly on her first ride at Aintree.
Third-placed Take All also attracted admiration, with trainer Myles Osborne describing the result as a milestone achievement. Having prepared the horse specifically for the unique demands of the Aintree fences, Osborne felt vindicated by the performance, especially given the gelding’s previous near-misses at major festivals. Rider Samuel Scott echoed those sentiments, calling the experience unforgettable and crediting the horse as a cornerstone of his early career.
In the end, however, the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase belonged emphatically to Barton Snow—a horse of rare ability whose dominance on two of the sport’s most demanding stages in successive months marks him out as a standout performer in his discipline.
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