BOYLESPORTS IRISH

GRAND NATIONAL CHASE

IN a scarcely credible climax, given the conditions, and one that perhaps exemplified the season as a whole, General Principle somehow pulled victory out of the fire to credit Gordon Elliott with a long-awaited and potentially crucial victory in the country’s richest National Hunt prize.

The heavy ground meant that one of the most exacting tests in the Easter Monday spectacular’s recent history awaited the 30 contestants. A mere eight horses completed the course but far more remarkable was the frenetic finish where just over a length covered the first five home as General Principle and jockey J.J. Slevin landed in front almost on the line.

As another enthralling trainers’ championship battle between Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins nears its conclusion, much was at stake here with a first prize of €270,000 on offer in a race that had thus far eluded their grasp.

The victorious trainer was mob-handed, with his team numbering 13, while Mullins relied on four runners, and it was representatives of these two leviathans who dominated the finish along with the Eddie Cawley-owned and trained Forever Gold.

FRANTIC

However, this doesn’t even begin to describe a frantic conclusion that saw the complexion of the race change dramatically on several occasions from the last to the line. The first circuit of the race wasn’t short on drama and the favourite, Pairofbrowneyes, was among a few first circuit casualties when he exited at the fifth fence.

By this stage Bellshill had worked his way into the front rank and he proceeded to turn in a marvellous exhibition from the front. He travelled supremely well and jumped superbly and he was still going strongly on the approach to the straight for the final time by which stage the field had thinned out dramatically.

General Principle (20/1) had latched on to the heels of the leaders and Forever Gold, Arkwrisht, Isleofhopesandreams were in contention as Folsom Blue began to stay on stoutly to put himself in with some chance.

However, they all looked to be playing for minor honours as Bellshill was still on the bridle when he cleared two out.

DRAMA

The drama really began to unfold at the final fence as Bellshill, having gone a couple of lengths up, veered out to his left nearing that fence, clambered over it and lost valuable momentum. In the process he impeded Arkwrisht who then cannoned into the staying-on Folsom Blue who looked an extremely unlucky loser and would have won without that last fence interference.

All this appeared to hand the initiative to the Mullins-trained Isleofhopesandreams but General Principle, who was fifth jumping the last, staged a tremendous late rally and closed in with every stride to lead in the final yards. He defeated Isleofhopendreams by a head. Forever Gold was half a length away in third with Bellshill crossing the line in fourth. The last-named was then demoted to fifth with Folsom Blue promoted to fourth after a stewards’ enquiry looked into the interference at the final fence.

“It’s brilliant, unbelievable really. To be honest I’d have to sit down and watch it a few times as there was so much going at the last. I was watching Folsom Blue as he is a strong stayer and he was keeping on well but he got mowed out of it at the last,” said Elliott, who went on to make it an unprecedented 200 winners for the season at Cork later in the afternoon.

“I would have to say that General Principle wasn’t one of our more fancied runners but he got a lovely ride from J.J. and he did actually run well in the race as a novice last year when he was fifth to Our Duke. I’m over the moon but I’ll probably have to go home and watch it a few times to take it all in.”

For Slevin this victory put the seal on another memorable season which yielded a first Grade 1 triumph on Tower Bridge at Leopardstown two months ago. Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time that Elliott and Slevin have teamed up to notable effect as they combined to land last season’s Martin Pipe at Cheltenham with Champagne Classic.

“It’s just incredible. You grow up watching these races, hoping that you might ride in them some day but never quite thinking that it will happen,” declared the 25-year-old rider. “I got him out and gave him plenty of light at his fences and he jumped and travelled well for me. I was just riding him to run well and finish well and I was trying to keep a bit up my sleeve for the closing stages. Gordon’s a great man and I owe him a lot.”