The 141st running of the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) saw the deep Southerner in High Forty power clear the closing stages to win by a dozen lengths. The 9yo gelding is prepared by the astute father and son Brian and Shane Anderton at Wingatui, who are always respected when they travel up this far in the South Island to Riccarton. It was the fourth win in the event today for Brian and the second for Shane but he has one over the old man in that he rode Lord Venture in 1988. Bymai won it for Brian in 1984 and Noble Express scored in 1994 for the then pairing. The runner up Mr Mor tried hard for second but that half a kilo he gave the winner really did matter. Hezanakilad finished third having raced on the previous two days of the meeting for a second and a first, so is very durable indeed. He got the full set today of top three placings in a week and considering he won his first steeplechase four days earlier it was a rugged effort. Michael Mitchell rode High Forty and was winning his first Grand National Steeplechase. Get Flash finished fourth beaten twenty lengths and was too having a third run in a week at the meeting having finished second twice. Eric The Viking, the winner last year, weakened out after setting the pace to fifth beaten twenty-five lengths. The form this time in for High Forty has been an incredible improvement so being a 9yo it is more likely the opposition is getting more inferior. Not such wet and deep footing does play a role too but the 9yo simply does not improve as a racehorse and especially as a jumper when he has been doing it for several seasons now. He finished fourth in this last year beaten twenty-three lengths behind Eric The Viking and carried 65.5kg so had 4kg more this time. Mr Mor the runner up is almost a case in point with this 9yo finding his career best jumping form too this year, so it has to be the lack of opposition depth and once again genuine wet tracks are far less prevalent with sand-slitting now a trend. The third and fourth finishers were both having a third run in a week, which would normally be too taxing so that alone is another hint of the actual field depth this year. Hezanakilad the third finisher, is a 5yo gelding that only won his first steeplechase on the track four days prior. Whether the first two home tackle the Great Northern at Ellerslie in the spring is doubtful due to three times over the hill and the possibility of a bottomless bog. One or both maybe a faint hope of Australia as better tracks assured but travelling a 9yo is the thing to ponder the most. Then again after the 12yo Bashboy delivered again age is just a number with leapers.