Ricci hopes to have last laugh at Aintree

Image from Alamy – 2DYP6NE Charlie Deutsch riding Royale Pagaille clear the last fence on the way to winning The Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Handicap Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse, Surrey.

Rich Ricci says his first memory of attending the Grand National at Aintree was a newspaper jibe pondering: “Who’s the fat cat in the hat?”

The American-born businessman is one of the leading owners in National Hunt racing for over a decade.

His stellar performers have included the likes of Annie Power, Faugheen and Vautour – all winners at the Cheltenham Festival – but so far he hasn’t managed to win the Grand National.

Royale Pagaille for Venetia Williams and Horantzau d’Airy for Willie Mullins are his two contenders this year in his wife Susannah’s colours.

Aintree appeal goes far and wide

The former chief executive of Barclays Bank grew up in Nebraska but has been based in England for a chunk of his career in the financial industry.

He says the Aintree spectacular is one of a chosen few races that has a global appeal.

“I’m originally from America and we always watched the Grand National on Wide World of Sports,” he told the Racing Post.

“It’s one of those iconic races you’d like to win. The Ascot Gold Cup, the Melbourne Cup… the Grand National is one of those sorts of races. It’s such a special day, the whole country gets involved and it’s a real privilege to be part of it.”

Midnight Club first taste of National Day

Ricci and his wife Susannah have been involved in National Hunt racing for two decades, initially forming a strong alliance with Willie Mullins in Ireland but, latterly, branching out to have horses in various yards in Britain.

Their first Grand National runner was The Midnight Club for Mullins in 2011. He had won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse that spring, always a decent trial for Liverpool, and was the 15/2 favourite under Ruby Walsh.

He ran well, finishing sixth as Ballabriggs scored for Donald McCain and Jason Maguire in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings.

Ricci is well established as friendly and approachable at the races but has less fond memories of his maiden trip to Aintree on Grand National, given how bankers were perceived at that time.

“It was the time of bankers being not necessarily everybody’s favourite people,” he said. “I went to Aintree on my own and my bank insisted I had security, because during the banking crisis having a name like Rich Ricci, I was getting quite a bit of attention.

“I got to the racecourse very early, I opened the paper and there was a headline that said ‘Who’s the fat cat in the hat?’ with a picture of me and a whole bunch of made-up things about me. That was my first memory of the Grand National, reading that at Aintree.

“But it was a great occasion. He finished sixth and I’ve been in years even when I don’t have runners. It’s great fun, nobody does it quite like Liverpool. It has a unique way of conducting and celebrating the day. It’s great to be part of it.”

Royale Pagaille in with a chance

Betfair Chase winner Royale Pagaille has second top-weight this year, set to carry 11st 9lb and behind only the 2024 winner for Mullins and owner JP McManus.

With his close association to the Mullins team, Ricci is confident that last year’s winner is going for glory again.

Royale Pagaille finished sixth in Haydock’s Grand National Trial in early February and his owner is hopeful rather than confident.

“He would be my best chance,” Ricci said. “I Am Maximus will definitely stay in the race so hopefully the weights won’t go up.

“He’s not the easiest fellow to train. A bit like the owner, he’s a bit clumsy and he always has a niggle, and he seems to hurt himself in every race.

“Venetia [Williams] has nursed an awful lot of winning form out of him and prize-money. He’s been a great horse to own and she’s done a magnificent job.”

While Mullins trains the favourite, Horantzau d’Airy will have just 10st 6lb on his back if he gets in, which is likely despite his spot at number 48 on the list. He’s one that might appreciate drying ground.

“Horantzau d’Airy likes much better ground. He’s got some good form and he has his chance. He’ll appreciate the trip and if the ground came up good he’d be in the mix,” Ricci added.