Sam Waley-Cohen was quick to play down his remarkable record over Aintree’s Grand National fences after piloting Oscar Time to a thrilling victory in the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase.

For an amateur jockey to win one race over the formidable obstacles is a feat in itself, but the 32-year-old has now notched up an incredible five successes at the Merseyside venue.

And his latest victory on Saturday was even more special as Oscar Time, well into the veteran stage of his career at 13, had been nursed back to health following injury by Waley-Cohen’s father, Robert, who owns and trains the gelding at Edgehill, near Banbury.

Second in the 2011 National and fourth in 2013, the 25-1 shot held off Mendip Express by three-quarters of a length to capture the first prize of £78,582.

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Of his record over the fences, which also includes three seconds, a third and a fourth, Sam said modestly: “You’ve got to have the right horse and anyone could have ridden him today, as he’s such a good ride over these fences.”

Waley-Cohen snr sang the praises of both his son and Oscar Time.

“We have had the most enormous fun with that horse,” he said. “He is a better horse here than anywhere and loves it.

“Sam is rather extraordinary around here. I don’t know how he does it.”

RHAPANDO opened his account for Paul Webber’s Mollington stables, near Banbury, with a game success at Leicester yesterday.

Liam Treadwell got the 9-1 shot up in the last 100 yards to beat Cloud Creeper by a neck in a novices’ limited handicap chase over two and a half miles.

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