General’s the raining champ at Fairyhouse
»Over 10,000 punters brave downpours » O’leary’s 20/1 shot soars to victory
MORE than 10,000 punters braved freezing showers at the Irish Grand National yesterday as 20/1 shot General Principle reined supreme.
Ryanair boss Michael O’leary’s horse won in a photo finish after a gruelling race that saw just eight of the 30 mounts complete the course. Trainer Gordon Elliott claimed his first victory in the Boy le sports backed race while jockey JJS levin could not contain his joy at being first past the post in the mud. He said: “As a young lad you dream of riding in these races. To win, it hasn’t sunk in yet. “I owe him [Elliott] a lot. He’s a great man.” Bookmaker Paddy Power revealed 300 bets a minute were placed on the richest race in Ireland and it is estimated around €5million was wagered.
Run over a marathon three miles and five furlongs and 24 fences, it was made all the more gruelling by almost a day of non-stop rain.
Among the hardy racegoers who braved the conditions was
Taoiseach Leo
Varadkar who was applauded as he posed for pictures in the Festival Bar. Speaking to the crowd in the winner’s enclosure. He said: “Despite the weather it’s been a tremendous day of racing. I had a chance to spend some time with the medical team as well. Of course, I used to be a doctor and I’ve seen first-hand the reality of what the jockeys can go through.
“It’s a big investment of taxpayers’ money but it’s money well spent as racing brings so much into the economy.”
Punter Emma Mcneill from Co Down said Fairyhouse will go down as her best racing day as she showed off her new engagement ring.
Her Co Armagh fiance Declan Toner revealed how he got down on bended knee on Easter Sunday following a romantic picnic.
The 26-year-old told the Irish
Number of horses out of 30-strong field that completed the course
Mirror: “We got engaged yesterday, we went up Slieve Donard and I had a wee picnic and a ring inside, we stayed in the Carton House.”
Emma, 30, added: “I had no idea this was happening and he asked me to marry him when we were up the mountain, then he said he had a surprise for me and we were heading to the races.
“He had the dress picked and the hat, he knew my size and everything.
“I cried my eyes out and said, ‘Yes’. It’s so special to be here, I’ve never even entered Ladies Day before. My sister only got engaged on Good Friday so this was a shocker. We love the races and this is the biggest day of racing in the Irish calendar.”
Lisa Jordan, 28, from Co
Meath, refused to let the showers dampen her style, adding: “I love the whole vintage theme, hence the fur, ’20s all the way. You can’t really top the Grand National, it’s local and every year I like to dress up for the occasion.” Musician Mick Konstantin was at the Co Meath track and penned a special ditty.
He said: “After the Conor Mcgregor song last summer it got a few million hits on Youtube. Conor got wind of it and flew me to Vegas, it was amazing.” Fairyhouse boss Peter Roe praised the turnout by 10,722 punters, adding: “We had a fabulous weekend with memorable racing.
“We were delighted by the crowds, who witnessed one of the best Irish Grand Nationals ever in the rain, which were only marginally down from last year due to the inclement conditions.”
Value of bets that were placed by punters on the Irish Grand National