THE BoyleSports Irish Grand National is a race close to the heart of Arthur Moore, having succeeded as both a jockey and trainer in the Easter highlight, and it was at Fairyhouse’s recent launch for this year’s race that Noel Meade shared a humorous story about the popular horseman.

It stems from a meeting of the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association several years ago when the topic of frustration with the handicapper’s treatment of certain horses was being debated by a number of trainers in the room.

Meade recalled: “Everybody was giving out about the handicapper, and then we all turned to Arthur and asked what he thought of the situation. Arthur said ‘I have no problem with the handicapper - it doesn’t really affect me’.

“We all stood back and asked him how that would be the case, when he joked ‘I handicap my own horses!’”