Brain Power Sails to Victory in Grand National

Trainer Nicky Henderson sent a fresh horse to America for the $450,000 Grand National (NSA-G1), and Michael Buckley's Brain Power powered away to a 15-length victory after favored Wicklow Brave fell at the final fence and sustained a fatal injury.

Wicklow Brave fractured his right shoulder in the fall and was transported to the Far Hills Races' stable area, where he was euthanized, New Jersey state veterinarian Stacey Romano reported.

"We are sad to have lost such a champion today," read a statement issued by Far Hills race meeting chairman Guy Torsilieri. "Our thoughts are with Wicklow Brave's owners and all of their connections, the racing community and the fans. It was heartbreaking for all of us."

Bruton Street US, which had a banner day with two victories in Far Hills' seven stakes races, took the second and third spots with Scorpiancer and Moscato, respectively. Sideways Stable's Jury Duty, the 2018 Grand National winner, finished fourth in a field of 12.

Ridden by Nico de Boinville, Brain Power attracted relatively strong support at the betting windows and paid $13 to win as a 5.50-to-1 pick. Brain Power ran the Grand National's 2 5/8 miles in 4:55 3/5 on turf rated good.

On a clear and seasonably warm afternoon in central New Jersey, Irish-based horses were expected to dominate the races, but the year's biggest prize went to the Lambourn-based stable of Henderson, a five-time champion trainer.

Brain Power won Cheltenham's Unibet International Hurdle in December but was pulled up in two major races in the spring, the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr in April. Following the traditional summer break for National Hunt horses, the 8-year-old Kalanisi gelding was primed for a big effort in America.

Hudson River Farms' Iranistan, coming back after nearly 14 months on the sidelines, broke sharply under Darren Nagle and set the pace, with Wicklow Brave close behind him and Wendy Hendriks' Lonesome Glory Handicap (NSA-G1) winner Surprising Soul close behind them.

De Boinville placed Brain Power close to the leaders and powered over the fences in the early going. As the field completed two miles, de Boinville moved Brain Power into third place. "He placed me wherever I wanted to be," he said.

Iranistan began to tire on the final turn, placing Wicklow Brave on the lead as Brain Power set sail for the final fence. Wicklow Brave met the fence wrong and toppled over it. Brain Power jumped the final obstacle without incident and drew away to the finish line. 

Scorpiancer, the two-time Calvin Houghland Iroquois (NSA-G1) winner, finished second, a neck ahead of stablemate Moscato. Both are trained by Jack Fisher.

Jury Duty, the 2018 Grand National winner, finished 18 1/2 lengths back in fourth.

De Boinville said Brain Power flourished on the Far Hills turf. "He jumped very well, and he ran very well," he said.