"No, I was giving him a 200m breather down the back because those up front always put the pressure on around that last bend and it's still a long way from home.
"I did the same on him when winning the Koral last week, but that was a little bit earlier in the last lap.
"I hadn't expected to be quite as handy as we were - it takes a fair bit more energy when you're racing just off the speed."
The astuteness of Mitchell's summation became obvious when High Forty dashed at the lead rounding the home turn and quickly headed the leader, Hezanakilad.
For 200m it appeared a close finish might eventuate but Anderton and son Shane had sent a super-fit horse to the races and High Forty sprinted away to win by 12 lengths with joint favourite Mr Mor getting up late to snatch second off Hezanakilad.
Hezanakilad is new to the big time and looks to have a big future.
Not surprisingly, Mitchell, 24, claimed this as his career highlight. "I keep getting referred to as an Irishman but I'm English, unless my mother's not telling me something."
Interesting that the Anderton birdcage Trackside Television interviewer after the Grand National was retired jumps jockey Tommy Hazlett.
Hazlett served his apprenticeship with Anderton and was a very willing young man even in those days before years riding over fences in Australia.
He hasn't had an alcoholic drink in something like 14 years, but on Saturday he recalled a big moment.
"Brian sent me down the road to buy a bottle of milk and I arrived back three days later."
Thenamesbond is heading towards two big paydays after winning the $20,000 restricted open hurdles at Te Aroha yesterday.
The talented jumper easily disposed of yesterday's opposition as he prepared for The $50,000 Tony Richards Toyota Hurdles on Pakuranga Hunt Cup Day on Saturday week and the $125,000 Great Northern Hurdles two weeks later.
Trainer Stephen Ralph has always believed Thenamesbond will be a better steeplechaser than a hurdler, which means he has a big future.
It didn't take a lot to entice champion Irish jockey Ruby Walsh to Australia and he played his part with victory on Bashboy in the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat yesterday.
With regular rider Steve Pateman sidelined through suspension, Walsh made the journey from Ireland to take the ride on the 12-year-old.
Walsh had Bashboy up stalking the speed throughout the 4500m journey.
Walsh said Pateman played just as big a part as he did.
"Steve spoke to me before the race and he was fairly adamant that he should go forward in the ground and with the weight."
Walsh said he was over the moon to get the opportunity to come to Australia for his brief visit which ends with a return trip home today.
Walsh said Bashboy would be competitive in Britain and a track like Sandown, which has many obstacles, would be ideal.
- Additional reporting, AAP
