THE Irish Grand National has a great tradition going back to 1870 with many strange and wondrous tales to be told since John Boylan won the first two races and was tragically killed, posthumously being crowned champion jockey in 1871.

Anne Bullitt Biddle made Irish racing history at Naas on August 31st 1966 by becoming the first woman trainer officially to have a runner and she started with a winner in Flying Tiger.