WHAT a pity there were no spectators at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday as the battling, near all-the-way winner of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National, Freewheelin Dylan, is owned and trained locally by two individuals with strong connections to the Ward Union Hunt which has had a lengthy association with the Co Meath track.

The successful 2012 Curtain Time gelding runs in the colours of Garristown’s Sheila Mangan who has been the only female whipper-in with the pack to date, filling that role on an honorary basis for five seasons. She was a member of the Ward Union for roughly 15 seasons, mainly riding potential racehorses and ex-racehorses, while her late father, Tom, was a joint-Master of the hunt.