The new Bentley Bentayga goes up against Grand National runner Gas Line Boy
The two thoroughbreds go toe to toe — with one making £175,000 in prize money, the other costing £175,000
TWO thoroughbreds. One’s made £175,000 in prize money, the other costs £175,000.
One does 30mph powered by Polo mints, the other does 168mph but costs a week’s wages to fill up.
One is 1 horsepower with one leather seat, the other is 435hp with four leather seats.
Of course, I’m comparing Gas Line Boy — a 33/1 shot in Saturday’s Grand National — with a Bentley Bentayga.
Bentley, as one might expect, is right at home with Lord Cravat and all the coiffured and impeccably dressed gentry that indulge in the Sport of Kings.
It provides VIP chauffeuring as a sponsor of The Jockey Club.
But spare a thought for the little men — the jockeys — who clock up more miles than a DPD driver just to make these meetings.
Irishman Robbie Dunne, riding Gas Line Boy at Aintree, does more than 40,000 miles a year pinballing around the country in his Audi A4.
He said: “I need to trade it in soon because it’s got 250,000 miles on the clock.
“I bought it with 30,000 on it and I’ve done 220,000 miles in five years — and I get plenty of lifts as well.
“The driveshaft went not so long ago but that’s the only problem I’ve had with it, great car.
“But I think I’ll go for a Jaguar XE next.”
Not a Bentayga then?
Robbie said: “Richard Johnson has one — but that only appears on the big days!”
The Bentayga you see here has a monster 4-litre triple-charged V8 diesel, co-developed with Audi for the SQ7.
Yep, a diesel Bentley. But it’s smooth and hushed and pulls like a train.
It can box off 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds — but be kind and gentle and you’ll get 38mpg.
Robbie said: “I’ve never driven anything like it. The power and speed for such a big car is something else. So fast.
“You feel like Frankie Dettori riding on one of the flat horses. And all the little extras are unbelievable.”
Trainer Ian Williams added: “It’s lovely and luxurious but not for me — it hasn’t got a towbar.
“Maybe Robbie could swap it for his Audi if he wins.”
You never know. Robbie’s Aintree record is impressive — third on his National debut in 2016 (Vics Canvas, 100/1), fifth last year with Gas Line Boy (50/1) and five top five finishes from five starts over the fences.
KEY FACTS: GAS LINE BOY
Price: £44,000
Earnings: £175,000
Power: 1hp
Top speed: 30mph
Seats: 1
Weight: 485kg
Emissions: Err... you know
Fuel: 18kg of oats and barley. Polos
Owner: The Three Graces partnership
KEY FACTS: BENTLEY BENTAYGA
Price: £175,000 with extras (£136k basic)
Power: 435hp
Top Speed: 168mph
Seats: 4
Weight: 2,499kg
Emissions: t/c
Fuel: Diesel
Engine: 4-litre V8
Owners: Royalty, celebs, filthy rich
So come on, gents, tell the good people of Britain. Is Gas Line Boy worth a little flutter?
Robbie said: “He’s in good nick. Some horses mature with age and Gas Line Boy hasn’t been overly raced. Ian does a marvellous job with him.”
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Ian added: “He performed a little above expectation last year, then backed it up by winning the Grand Sefton Chase over the National fences in December.
“To achieve something similar on Saturday would be fantastic. He’s valeted, serviced and prepared.”
Attaboy. I’m in for a tenner each-way.
TEMPLEGATE SAYS...
PUNTERS could do a lot worse than to fill up on Gas in the search for the Grand National winner, says top Sun tipster Templegate.
Gas Line Boy has the crucial course form in the book, having finished fifth behind One For Arthur last year.
There’s a chance he could have finished even closer as he was hampered by runner-up Cause Of Causes at the last two fences.
Those fearsome Aintree obstacles hold no fears as he safely jumped 18 of them on the way to victory in the Grand Sefton Chase in December.
He might be approaching his teenage years but age is no barrier to success in the world’s greatest race, and jockey Robbie Dunne is an expert in big marathon chases.