Needham pleased to skip Aintree with Sine Nomine, the star of the Festival
Fiona Needham has thoroughly enjoyed the remarkable achievements of Sine Nomine at the Cheltenham Festival. However, her prized mare will not have the opportunity to pursue a double victory at both Cheltenham and Aintree this year.
As a rider in 2002, Fiona, who serves as the clerk of the course at Catterick, achieved success in the St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase. She partnered with her father Robin Tate's Last Option, guiding them to victory.
By training and saddling the winner of the "amateur Gold Cup," Fiona joined the ranks of illustrious individuals who have both ridden and trained a victorious horse. Sine Nomine, a thrifty purchase at £2,400 when she was three years old, triumphed over Its On The Line, owned by JP McManus, under the guidance of jockey John Dawson.
Sine Nomine, owned by Fiona's father, proudly displayed the same colours that Fiona herself wore when she emerged victorious 22 years ago. The jubilant celebrations in the winner's enclosure continued throughout the entire weekend.
Dawson has been handed a 14-day suspension due to his excessive use of the whip, surpassing the allowed limit of seven. As a result, he will be unable to participate in the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase, which takes place on the first day of Aintree's Grand National meeting.
However, there is some consolation for Dawson as Needham has decided not to attempt to replicate On The Fringe's accomplishment of completing the Aintree-Cheltenham hunter-chase double. Instead, they are considering a return to Cheltenham for their hunter chase card in early May, followed by a bid for victory in Stratford's Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters' Chase later that month.
Needham said: “We debated Aintree but she did just knock a joint a little bit, which is fine and settling down, but I just want to give her a bit longer and she does not have an entry for Aintree. She jumps well but she’s quite bold and I’m not sure that’s the best way to be at Aintree”.