FEW races in Ireland can claim to be as historic as the 1916 Irish Grand National and indeed, it is believed that one of the instigating factors behind the Rising taking place when it did was the knowledge that many of the British Army were in attendance at Fairyhouse that Easter Monday.

With lines of communications very different to what they are today, the activity in Dublin City didn’t filter back to Fairyhouse until the last race of the day and didn’t interfere with All Sorts claiming a famous win for trainer Dick Cleary.