Ludlow has proved itself a nursery for champions after February hunter chase winner Barton Snow cemented his place at the top of the Foxhunter division with an authoritative victory over Aintree’s Grand National fences.

Trainer Joe O’Shea fielded 3 runners in the maximum field of 24, and favourite backers had little to concern them from Barton Snow’s faultless round to land the odds of 7/4. His single prep race under rules this season before Cheltenham had been a bloodless 12l victory in the Chase Meredith Memorial Hunters’ Chase here on February 4th.

But it was O’Shea’s other leading runner, Gracchus de Balme – last year’s winner – who led the field for much of the race, with some bold leaps, especially at the Canal Turn, before surrendering the lead at the 14th.

Unexpected Party, Take All and Irish challenger Let’s Go Champ took up the running with Henry Crow sitting motionless on the favourite in virtually a replica of his cool ride at Cheltenham. Sending Barton Snow on at the elbow with dismissive glances to left and right at his rivals scrubbing away, the seven year old won with plenty in hand.

Speaking to Lydia Hislop of Racing TV, Crow reported, “The race went perfectly as planned; they went a good gallop the whole way and he just cruised into it.”

O’Shea is always a voluble character in post-race interviews and had left himself nowhere to hide in pre-race prognostications. “If he jumps round, he’ll win,” leaves no room for doubt! But so it proved, and even more surprising, it appears a stable mate is at least as good.

O’Shea said: “We’ve got one even better than Barton Snow at home, by the same sire Snow Sky. He’s called Boley Bob, he’s won his last four and is going to Hexham next month, and he’ll win.

Barton Snow may not necessarily grace Stratford for the Pertemps Network Stratford Foxhunter at the end of May, as O’Shea considers the trip too far for the horse. Punchestown looks the preferred option. However, who’s to bet it won’t fall to another of the Cheshire handler’s stable.

O’Shea had set himself an end season retirement date due to ongoing heart issues. But whilst the run of success continues, he’ll be sorely tempted to continue living the dream, and who can blame him?