‘It’s kind of a dream, I’ve only five horses in training’

FAIRYHOUSE PREVIEW WITH BRIAN DOWLING Stamullen trainer bid for Grand National Glory

First ran in 1870, the Irish Grand National has provided some of the most colourful days in Irish racing, and this year promises to do the same, writes Brian Dowling.

The Easter Monday event has seen some magical days, like the father-son success of Bobbyjo for the Carberry’s and Commanche Court for Ruby and Ted Walsh. Or when Organisedconfusion scored in 2011 for Nina Carberry, the first female rider to win the race for 27 years, and Katie Walsh, who followed suit four years later on Thunder And Roses.

And what about the local triumphs in Ireland’s greatest steeplechase. Davids Lad for Tony Martin in 2001, and The Bunny Boiler a year later for Noel Meade under Ross Geraghty. It took Gordon Elliot until 2018 to break his duck in the race, and that came courtesy of General Principle. And who could forget last year, Freewheelin’ Dylan, trained just 7km from Fairyhouse, who became the longest priced winner of the race for Dermot McLoughlin, at 150-1.

The Meath brigade this year is as strong as ever, but what a story it would be if Max Flamingo landed the spoils for Stamullen trainer Francis Casey. Casey has only five horses in training, but he heads to Fairyhouse with a live chance.

“It's kind of a dream, I’ve only five horses in training. If it works out, it’ll be great. If it doesn’t, sure there’s no harm in trying,” Casey told the Meath Chronicle. “I always thought he’d stay forever. It's an unknown, the marathon trip, but he has plenty of pace.

“I think he’s a spring type horse. He won on the same card, Easter Monday, last year over hurdles. He needs the sun on his back. Obviously you couldn’t be confident, it’s the National, but I’m very hopeful. “He wants decent ground. I don’t know what it’s going to be for next week. He won’t run if it’s heavy,” Casey said.

Max Flamingo is the current market leader with sponsors BoyleSports, who have him priced up at 10/1. “If he stays and jumps well and avoids any trouble, he’ll obviously have a good chance.”

Denis O’Regan, who was fourth in the race on board Snugsborough Benny in 2019, will take the ride. “Denis O’Regan will ride him. He knows the horse, he’s won on him twice,” Casey said.

“Denis has plenty of experience in both Ireland and England. He'd have an option to ride horses for bigger trainers, but he told me 'No, I’m riding your horse, that’s it.' I’m very hopeful. I'll think he’ll stay,” Casey concluded.

Crowds will once again descend upon Fairyhouse on Easter Monday for the first time in three years and this year’s renewal looks as competitive as ever. Twenty-five horses among the 73 forfeits ran at Aintree last weekend, and of the remainder it is still hard to know who will turn up, with the race being ran after the English and Scottish equivalents for only the second time in the last 10 renewals.

Lucinda Russell could send Cheltenham Festival winner Corach Rambler over the Irish Sea for a crack at the €500,000 contest with a firm decision likely to be made in the coming days, with the Bet365 Gold Cup on Sandown also firmly on the agenda.

The Gordon Elliot trained Farclas is the current market leader at around 12/1 for the three-mile-five-furlong contest, as Elliot bids for his second success in the race. He hasn’t been seen since finishing runner-up to stablemate Run Wild Fred in the Troytown Chase at Navan last November and has been freshened up, with the Gigginstown owned gelding bypassing Aintree to go here.

Novices’ Full Time Score and Galliard Du Mesnil provide considerable interest to the field and both were left free of Aintree with the prospect of coming here, while fellow novice Stattler could too run.

On Sunday Cheltenham Festival winner Love Envoi is amongst 23 entries for the Grade 1 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final, with trainer Harry Fry confirming in recent weeks she will most likely take her chance.

She was a good winner of the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park, stretching her unbeaten career to six wins. She beat many of her likely rivals on that occasion, but the return to a flatter track and the extra four furlongs may suit many of the others.

Brandy Love was declared for that Cheltenham race but was lame that morning and was pulled out. If back on song, she should go well. As would stablemate Grangee, who likes it around Fairyhouse. Party Central, Dinoblue, Impervious and Statuaire are others who could appear.

BoyleSports have also stepped into the sponsor the other Grade 1 on Sunday’s card, the Fairyhouse Gold Cup Novice Chase. Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs remain the most notable entries, but both Willie Mullin’s and Henry De Bromhead have given the vibe that the Punchestown Festival will be their more likely targets.

Gabynako could go for Gavin Cromwell, who ran a cracker when finishing second in the Arkle at Cheltenham behind Edwardstone. Riviere D’etel, Blue Lord and Capodanno are others who could head for Fairyhouse.

The Fairyhouse Easter Festival gets underway on Saturday with the Rybo Handicap Hurdle the feature race on day 1, while the always intriguing Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper will conclude the opening days action.

With 21 races to be ran over the three days, all eyes will be on one race, and if Max Flamingo can score, it may provide the greatest tale of them all.