FAIRYHOUSE hosted the richest jump race in the Irish racing calendar on Easter Monday when unconsidered 150/1 outsider Freewheelin Dylan (72) dismissed a host of rivals from the traditional National Hunt powerhouse stables to dramatically capture the Boylesports Irish Grand National.

Brilliantly handled by Ricky Doyle, the nine-year-old led his 27 adversaries a merry dance from the front in the first-time cheekpieces and become the longest-priced winner in the history of the race.

Following an initial false start, the field jumped away to an even start at the second time of asking, with the winner quickly assuming a prominent position.

As was to be the feature of the nine-year-old’s performance, he was quick and accurate at the first three fences in assuming the lead ahead of Coko Beach (66), with those just off the pace content to take a watching brief.

A split-screen comparison to the three-mile chase 40 minutes later illustrated how Doyle controlled the race, increasing the pace at the fences after the downhill run before taking hold of his mount again upon jumping the fifth last fence in readiness for the run for home.

With four to jump, the advantage had been eroded and the challengers were ready to pounce, but Dermot McLoughlin’s gelding was not to be denied and the efficiency of his jockey’s ride was about to bear fruit.

Impossible

The closing section from the fourth-last fence saw the son of Curtain Time finish 0.9 seconds faster than Easy Game (70) who won the Grade 2 chase earlier on the card, a fact which made it virtually impossible for the closers to overhaul him.

Run Wild Fred (71) got the closest and showed a race of this nature must surely fall his way in the future.

Although yet to win over fences, the seven-year-old has won at graded level over hurdles and his liking for heavy ground will be a vital attribute in the mid-winter staying handicaps next season.

That is if he does not appear again this season.

Enjoy D’Allen (70) continued his rise through the ratings, once again responding to a change of headgear. Since joining Ciaran Murphy, he has not been out of the first three and although he never looked likely to finish any closer than third here, kept going all the way to the line to hold off the challenge of gallant favourite and top-weight Latest Exhibition (70) who was carried out on his shield.

Given the way in which the race developed, the effort of Sempo (68) was extremely meritorious. Having raced exclusively over shorter distances in his chasing career to date, the seven-year-old gave notice he can land a race of this type down the line.

The first four home all sat close to the even pace with Joseph O’Brien’s gelding fairing best of those held up in fact, had he not made a jolting error at the last fence, he would have been hard on the heels of Latest Exhibition.