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Nigel Twiston-Davies Aims to End 23-Year Grand National Drought with Beauport
Veteran trainer eyes Aintree glory with promising stayer
The Landscape of Modern National Hunt Racing
In recent years, National Hunt racing has been predominantly influenced by powerhouse trainers and owners such as Willie Mullins, JP McManus, and emerging figures like Gavin Cromwell. Their successes at major festivals, including Cheltenham, have solidified their dominance. As the racing community shifts its focus to the 2025 Grand National, many anticipate this trend to persist at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, April 5.
However, the unpredictable nature of the Grand National often allows for unexpected victors among the 34 runners. One name notably absent from widespread discussions is that of Nigel Twiston-Davies, a seasoned British trainer based in Naunton, Gloucestershire. Twiston-Davies is mounting a formidable challenge to end his 23-year hiatus from winning the world’s most renowned steeplechase.
Beauport: A Dark Horse with Proven Stamina
Among Twiston-Davies’s entries, Beauport emerges as a particularly compelling contender. Despite a series of commendable performances, Beauport has largely remained under the radar. His aptitude for extended distances became evident with a second-place finish at Sandown in December 2023 over 3m4½f. Following a brief setback at Warwick in January 2024, Beauport showcased his resilience by clinching victory in the Midlands Grand National in March 2024, a race just shy of the Grand National’s 4m2f distance. Although he faced challenges in the Scottish Grand National due to unfavourable soft ground, he rebounded with a dominant win in a Class 2 Handicap Chase at Ascot in November 2024 over 3m5f. Subsequent placings over hurdles at Ascot and Haydock have set the stage for his Grand National bid, where he is currently priced at 33/1.
Twiston-Davies’s Grand National Legacy
Nigel Twiston-Davies is no stranger to Grand National success. His inaugural victory came in 1998 with Earth Summit, a horse renowned for winning the Scottish and Welsh Grand Nationals as well. This achievement underscores Twiston-Davies’s expertise in preparing horses for gruelling staying chases. Four years later, in 2002, he secured another Grand National triumph with Bindaree, further cementing his reputation.
A Storied Career in National Hunt Racing
Twiston-Davies’s journey in racing is marked by dedication and success. Beginning as an amateur jockey, he rode for esteemed trainers like Fred Winter, Fred Rimell, and Kim Bailey, achieving 17 wins. Transitioning to training in 1981, he celebrated his first victory with Last Of The Foxes at Hereford in 1982. Since then, he has amassed over 1,500 winners, including 17 Cheltenham Festival victories, highlighting his consistent presence at the sport’s pinnacle.
Assessing Beauport’s Grand National Prospects
Beauport’s trajectory suggests he is peaking at an opportune moment for a Grand National challenge. His Midlands Grand National victory demonstrated his capacity to endure and excel over extended distances against formidable competition.The subsequent Ascot win, where he carried 11st 7lb to a 31-length victory, further attests to his stamina and class. For the upcoming Grand National, Beauport is assigned 11st 1lb, a weight that could play to his advantage.
Preparations have been progressing smoothly. Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant trainer and son of Nigel, reported that both Beauport and stablemate Broadway Boy have schooled proficiently over Aintree-style fences at Cheltenham, bolstering confidence in their jumping aptitude.
Aiming for a Third Grand National Victory
The 2025 Grand National presents a prime opportunity for Nigel Twiston-Davies to reclaim glory in this storied race. With Beauport, he possesses a horse that embodies the essential attributes for Aintree success: stamina, jumping prowess, and experience in high-calibre races. Despite the current 33/1 odds, Beauport’s credentials suggest he could outperform expectations.
As the race approaches, it would be prudent for racing enthusiasts to monitor the Twiston-Davies yard closely. The combination of the trainer’s Grand National pedigree and Beauport’s promising form indicates that this partnership could be poised to make a significant impact on April 5th.
