SANDRA Hughes has made a serious start to her training career and in the space of a short few months, she has won a Grade 1 and an Irish Grand National. Her late father Des would have been immensely proud of her achievements.

“I am enjoying it and the reception we got when we won the National on Monday was unbelievable but when we got home it was bittersweet. We were very deflated but it was a fantastic achievement,’’ she stated.