Wells wins a third Grand National Steeplechase

Darryl Sherer - Sunday August 20

Wells won a third Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) in a driving finish at Ballarat on Sunday.

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Richard Cully and Kath Durden. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Wells, ridden by Richard Cully, was left in front when Sea King fell at the second last fence and was then challenged by Over The Yardarm, in receipt of 7.5kg.

Over The Yardarm ($3.40) looked to be going the better but Cully galvanised Wells ($4) who got home by a short-head with Bold Zamour ($18) 5-1/2 lengths away third.

The Kathryn Durden-trained 10-year-old won the race in 2014 before injury sidelined him in 2015. He returned to win in 2016 before scoring on Sunday with 71.5kg.

Wells joins Bashboy, (2012, 2013 and 2015) as the only three-time winner of the race and Cully described son of Galileo as a proper champion.

"He's got an unbelievable engine. He's unbelievably tough, unbelievably sound, it's a fantastic training job and he just keeps coming up," Cully told Racing Victoria.

Wells wore down Over The Yardarm last time out in the Crisp Steeplechase at Sandown on August 6 and Cully was aware of how tough the horse on his outside was.

"I was worried because I know how hard he was to run down at Sandown, but we did run him down, so I knew if he had to stick his head down he would," Cully said.

"That huge weight pull, that just shows what a good horse he is. When he rallied back inside the last 50 metres I thought I'd win - he's just the toughest horse I've had anything to do with.

"He hasn't been as keen as he was last year but you just know there's an engine there when you go for him."  

Five of the nine runners completed the race with equal topweight Sea King ($6.50) the only one to fall, at the second last fence.

Sea King continued and jumped the last fence on his own with jockey Brad McLean uninjured.

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