BOYLESPORTS IRISH

GRAND NATIONAL

AN unyielding Rogue Angel delivered a victory that was as universally popular as it was emotional as he pulled out all the stops and more to strike BoyleSports Irish Grand National gold for Mouse Morris and jockey Ger Fox. In recent years this race has developed the uncanny knack of producing one heart warming story after another and this year’s edition served up a finale to match any of recent times. In victory Rogue Angel credited the trainer with a major success that was so richly deserved following a series of near misses in top company throughout the season.

First Lieutenant, Rule The World and Alpha Des Obeaux had all gone close to giving Morris big race success in recent months but the trainer worked the oracle as he produced his Kerry National hero in rare order. it was also an especially poignant success for the trainer who lost his son, Tiffer, last summer.

“It’s just unbelievable. Tiffer was looking down on me today. This is for him,” exclaimed an emotional Morris before he was engulfed in a sea of well wishers as he sent out the second Irish National winner of his training career. “We won it before with Hear The Echo (2008) but after the year we’ve had this means more.”

For Fox (aged 27) this victory continued his unbeaten association with the Gigginstown House Stud-owned winner. Back in 2014 injury prevented him from partnering Road To Riches in the Galway Plate but Rogue Angel provided ample compensation in running out a valiant winner of the Kerry National. This was the first time since Listowel that Fox had teamed up with the son of Presenting and Rogue Angel rose to the occasion with a blemish free display under the locally-born rider.

In truth the National couldn’t have any smoother for either horse or jockey as Rogue Angel, one of eight Gigginstown runners, led from before the third fence and soon held a lead of several lengths over the field. Rogue Angel (20-16/1) continued to dictate the tempo from a phalanx of fellow Gigginstown-owned runners.

RUBY WALSH

As Rogue Angel continued to pour on the pressure his rivals folded one by one and he looked to be holding the outsider Ballyadam Approach when going on again after the second last. However there were then echoes of 2015 - when two Morris inmates were doing battle for the lead at the last only to finish second and fourth – as Ruby Walsh delivered Bless The Wings with a supremely timed effort.

Bless The Wings challenged at the last, touched down in front and, given the ease with which he cruised into the race, the stage seemed set for him to prevail. Just as he did in the Kerry National though, Rogue Angel found new reserves when it mattered most. He answered Fox’s every call and an enthralling bobbing finish ensued which went Rogue Angel’s way by a short head. Ballyadam Approach was just under four lengths back in third with fourth going to the winner’s stablemate Folsom Blue. The 13/2 favourite Bonny Kate was pulled up before the third last.

“I didn’t give Ger any instructions. He knows the horse well having won on him at Listowel. The two attributes that he has are that he jumps and stays. He came here fit and well and they can’t have gone a great gallop as he wouldn’t have been able to make it as handily as he did,” reflected Morris.

“He was foot perfect the whole way round although when the second horse came upsides him at the last, I thought here we go again after last year,” added the trainer.

“Aintree would absolutely suit him and I have left him in the English National, really just in case something silly happened here but we’ll just see how he comes out of this.’’

Afterwards a thrilled Fox exclaimed: “I’m only 15 minutes away from here so to ride the winner in the Irish National is amazing. Really it just hasn’t sunk in yet. In fairness to this horse he just never gives up and he’s never beaten.

“It was the same when he won the Kerry National. He was headed on the run in there and he was today too. I really wasn’t sure I’d won until passing the line Ruby gave me a thump on the arm to tell me I’d won. Rides have been getting slimmer lately and there a lot of good young riders coming up and there’s a lot of competition for rides for this to happen at this stage of my career is amazing.’’

Of the runner-up Gordon Elliott stated: “He’s run a brilliant ride and got a peach of a ride off Ruby. He’s run his heart out and I’m delighted with him. I’m thrilled for Mouse too.’’