ON the approach to the third last fence in Monday’s Irish Grand National, I began to realise that I was in with a real chance of winning the feature race. My mount, 150/1 outsider, Freewheelin Dylan who had jumped brilliantly throughout, was about to meet the upcoming obstacle on a perfect stride. I knew if he did so, I would have a few of my nearest pursuers in trouble as they had ground to make up on the run-in. That is exactly how the race played out, leaving me to celebrate a career highlight on my very first ride in the National.

Army man