BoyleSports Irish Grand

National Handicap Chase

INCREDIBLY, for the second year in succession, local hero Dermot McLoughlin worked the oracle in the Irish Grand National once again as Lord Lariat provided Glasnevin-born rider Paddy O’Hanlon with a day he will cherish forevermore.

Twelve months ago, McLoughlin sent out Freewheelin Dylan to spring a 150/1 shock when the Easter Monday spectacular took place behind closed doors. Twelve months on the trainer became the first member of his profession since his former boss Jim Dreaper (1974-76) to win back-to-back editions of this race as Lord Lariat triumphed at the appreciably more conservative odds of 40/1.

The second last horse to make the cut for the final field in the richest race in the Irish National Hunt calendar, Lord Lariat won two handicap chases in the closing weeks of 2021 which was enough to convince the masterful McLoughlin that he could have another Irish Grand National candidate on his hands.

Perhaps a little like Freewheelin Dylan, the Pat Blake and P.J. Casey-owned seven-year-old didn’t jump off the page as an obvious winner last Monday. However, McLoughlin has long been a master at producing his horses in terrific shape for major staying tests the first evidence of which came when he sent out 100/1 chance Vics Canvas to finish an unlucky third in the Grand National at Aintree in 2016.

Equally meritorious was the effort of Paddy O’Hanlon (23) who had his mount positioned beautifully from the outset and rode a race that belied his relative inexperience. Remarkably this race was the jockey’s first success since he won aboard Lord Lariat at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve.

The return of crowds to Fairyhouse for the Irish Grand National meant that the track bristled with atmosphere in the minutes before the off which featured a chorus of ‘olé olé olé’ from the stands and those in attendance (15,097) were treated to another fascinating spectacle where it once again paid to be up with the pace.

For most of the race the running was cut out by Frontal Assault and ever present in his slipstream was Lord Lariat who produced a most accomplished round of jumping.

Superb

The front two were superb at virtually every fence with the result that they remained at the head of the field turning for home where the favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil was a menacing presence on their heels. It was at the third last that Lord Lariat moved to the front and the manner in which he cleared that fence suggested that O’Hanlon had any amount of reserves to call upon if required.

Soon it was apparent that those still in contention would have it all to do to reel in Lord Lariat who winged the second last and approached the final fence with a decent lead. At this point a rallying Front Assault had come back to head the chase but the McLoughlin inmate was unwavering and unfaltering in front as he cleared the last and kept on well to prevail by just under five lengths. Frontal Assault ran a tremendous race in second with Gaillard Du Mesnil a further two and a quarter lengths back in third while Screaming Colours was an honourable fourth.

“This is a nice horse and we have had this race in our heads since before Christmas,” said a typically cool and understated McLoughlin who trains a string of 40 horses. “We gave him a break and laid him out and while I was concerned he might not get the trip I thought we’d try and do something similar to last year.

“The horse jumped, travelled enjoyed himself and it was a bit like last year. It doesn’t usually work out this way. We’re coming here since a young age it’s great to win this again. This is great for all the team and everyone who works so hard for days like this. My wife and kids are here today which they couldn’t be last year and that means an awful lot,” concluded the trainer.

A suitably thrilled O’Hanlon, who lives just a few minutes away from the track, commented: “It’s unbelievable. I just don’t know what to say. I’m over the moon for the owners and Dermot and for keeping the faith and putting me up on him. Today I was delighted to come here with a ride.

“Dermot was confident he could run a big race if he could get out jumping and travelling away and he had him spot on. The horse had been freshened up since his last run and Dermot is never far wrong. This is going to take a while to sink in.”