Irv Naylor's Rawnaq (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), showing his customary courage in the stretch, turned back a sharp challenge by Scorpiancer (Ire) (Scorpion {Ire})
to win America's steeplechase by three-quarters of a length on Saturday. Now undefeated in three 2016 starts, Rawnaq all but sewed up this year's Lonesome Glory Champions Award with his gaudy bankroll of $360,000, including $210,000 from the Grand National victory. The Grand National, the richest steeplechase race in more than a quarter-century, highlighted a Far Hills Races program worth $700,000, a race-meet record. A capacity crowd of 35,000 basked in mid-autumn sunshine in central New Jersey and cheered Rawnaq as he drew clear before the final fence under top Irish jockey Ruby Walsh. Bruton Street-US's Scorpiancer, winner of the GI Lonesome Glory H. in his most recent start, was not finished, though. With a powerful late move, the Irish-bred drew onto Rawnaq's flanks but could get no farther. Robert Aplin's England-based invader Sharp Rise (Ire) (Croco Rouge {Ire}) finished third, 17 1/2 lengths farther back. Rawnaq ran the Grand National's 2 5/8 miles in 4:50 on firm turf. “He went nice and smooth,” said trainer Cyril Murphy. “He did it with authority. He jumped the last perfectly.”
Murphy said that, if Rawnaq comes out of the race well, he and leading owner Naylor will consider the $100,000 GI Marion DuPont Scott Colonial Cup on Saturday, Nov. 19. The Colonial Cup, which closes the 2016 racing season, is worth $150,000 this year.
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