BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase

THE ability of the country’s richest race to surprise and thrill in equal measure was never more apparent than it was last Monday as the appropriately named Freewheelin Dylan sprang a monster shock at 150/1 to provide the winning combination Dermot McLoughlin and Ricky Doyle with a day of a lifetime.

All the way back in 1962 McLoughlin’s father, Liam, won this race on Tom Dreaper’s Kerforo and the trainer’s long held hope that he could someday saddle runners in this race came to fruition in spectacular style.

Ricky Doyle had never ridden in the race before yet pulled off a front-running masterclass in the manner of one who has been riding this race for decades.

This truly was a result to warm the heart, even more so when one considers the owner Sheila Mangan works for McLoughlin, and the popularity and the regard in which the winning connections are held was evident in the reception that the winner received. Despite the spartan backdrop of lockdown, the genuine warmth that accompanied the winner’s return to the parade ring was a fitting testament for the good guys.

In a race that has produced its share of surprise results, this outcome dwarfed them all but Freewheelin Dylan’s chance wasn’t perhaps as slim as his odds suggested. The drying ground was sure to work in his favour and it was only five runs ago that he won the valuable Midlands National.

Dominant

However, there were any numbers of contestants in this year’s race who had plenty of upside and a horse liked Freewheelin Dylan looked as though he could be vulnerable to some improvers.

Nobody though banked on the winner’s ability to dominate this red hot handicap from start to finish which he did.

Ricky Doyle set out his stall by going straight to the front and Freewheelin Dylan proceeded to produce an exhibition of jumping as he measured one fence after another with the utmost precision. In a race where very few ever got closely involved, the winner was kept company by stablemates Run Wild Fred and Coko Beach.

That pair were still right there turning in but from three out the Irish Grand National lay between Freewheelin Dylan and Run Wild Fred, who was looking for his first success over fences. On his first start since October, the winner could have been forgiven for cracking late on but when he really needed good jumps he delivered.

He got away from the last two fences quicker than Run Wild Fred and he kept on bravely to the line to score by a length and a quarter. Enjoy D’Allen, representing Ciaran Murphy, ran a superb race to secure third while the top-weight Latest Exhibition ran a fine race to take fourth having been prominent throughout.

Good rhythm

The day though belonged to a horse who is trained that close to the track he could actually have walked here had connections opted to take up that option.

“It’s great. We knew he’d like the ground and I said to Ricky make it if you can. It was similar to when he won the Midlands National as he just got into a really good rhythm up front,” remarked a typically cool McLoughlin (47) who has quietly yet consistently been making a name for himself over the last number of seasons.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a young boy and I always wanted to have a horse good enough to run in it. We had two runners this year (the other being Opposites Attract) and I did think they both had chances.

Turning in when Freewheelin Dylan was still in front I said to the lads beside me we better start shouting and it’s great he’s pulled it off and it’s great for Ricky too as he’s a great fella.”

“Since we got him he’s kept progressing and his jumping has always been his forte. Sheila, who owns him, works in the yard and she’s a great girl. She said this morning that she’d backed him at 100/1 and 150/1 so she’ll be happy,” concluded the trainer who came within touching distance of landing the Grand National at Aintree with Vics Canvas a few years ago.

Doyle’s disbelief

Ricky Doyle (27) could scarcely believe that he had just pulled off a pillar-to-post tour de force in this iconic prize.

“My God I can’t believe it. He is my first ride in the National and I was delighted to ride him given how well he jumps. I was just looking forward to having a spin on him. I bounced out to be handy but got an easy lead and the horse jumps for fun and I was able to take breathers everywhere,” stated Doyle.

“He was absolutely tanking with me on the first circuit and every time a horse came near him he’d go on again. I thought at one stage if I got as far as the third last it would be a hell of a run. Turning in I was saying to myself there was no way I could be going this easily but I was.

“For me growing up I’ve been more associated with Nationals by being good friends with the Brassils.

“I’m around long enough and I’m turning 27 and this is my first ride in the race but I don’t care if I don’t ride in another one now. My career started well and slowed up a bit but Conor (O’Dwyer) had so much faith and trust in me and he has helped me get to this level,” concluded Doyle.