NATIONAL GLORY FOR DAVY
THE worlds most famous steeplechase, the Aintree Grand National, enjoys a special place in the hearts of most Irish people.
It’s a race that’s synonymous with drama and excitement as bumper fields of up to 40 horses negotiate the famous fences.
Down through the years everyone has a story about a winner, a loser, a faller or a pile up.
My first memories are of the great Red Rum back in 1973 when the Ginger McCain trained horse came from 30 lengths back to win the race in a record time.
Nobody in our house backed him in 1973 but we were all on him the next year when he it won again. I can still remember the excitement as we watched his famous colours cross the line.
Although it was only ‘a couple of bob’ getting presented with the winnings, for a six or seven year old, felt like becoming a millionaire.
There were near misses in 1975 and 1976 when Red Rum finished second on both occasions behind L’Escargot and Rag Trade.
The following year in 1977 I remember listening to some of the adults saying he was passed his best but we were caught up in the romance of the story and chose him again. Red Rum took the lead after the favourite Andy Pandy fell at Beechers and he romped home by 25 lengths to win the race for a record third time. We were delirious.
Despite backing in every Aintree Grand National since 1977, I haven’t picked another winner.
Well, I suppose that’s not quite true. I did have a few pound each way on Esha Ness when Jenny Pitman’s 50/1 chance came home first in 1993 only for the race to be declared void after a fiasco with the starting tape.
There is some hope however in our house as my eight year old has now picked two of the last three winners; Rule the World in 2016 and Tiger Roll at the weekend. The excitement and drama is still magical.
The oldest jockey in the race on the smallest horse. It was an emotional triumph for Davy Russell, winning the National for the first time on his 14th attempt just weeks after the death of his mum.
Trainer Gordon Elliot was proclaimed a genius afterwards and it’s hard to argue after developing the diminutive gelding into the victor of the world’s most famous steeplechase.
It was the Meathman’s second victory in the race following his 2007 triumph with Silver Birch. There was a surprise for returning punters on Saturday evening when Tiger Roll’s owner Michael O Leary celebrated by opening a free bar on Ryanair’s Liverpool to Dublin flight.
And there’s a GAA connection with the win also. Tiger Roll’s groom in Elliot’s yard is former Meath Ladies goalkeeper Louise Dunne. The Summerhill native proudly led the horse around the parade ring before the off and she was present on the winners podium to enjoy the celebrations. the impossible. Lightning rarely strikes twice in the same week of the Champions League but Juventus somehow scored three times and drew level in the tie.
With all the momentum ‘the old lady’ sensed victory only to be denied by a controversial injury time Ronaldo penalty. Veteran goalkeeper Luigi Buffon was sent off for protesting. I can’t wait for the semi-finals. Liverpool v Roma and Madrid v Bayern.
Dundalk maintained their narrow lead at the top of the league with a hard fought 2-0 victory in Bray, the goals coming from Pat Hoban and John Mountney. Drogheda on the otherhand had to rely on a last minute equaliser from Ciaran Kelly to rescue a point against Longford as they slipped back to second in the table behind UCD. from strength to strength and this year had over 1,000 participants.
The race was won by local man Gary O’Hanlon (in a time 15:07) who had just completed a personal best in the Berlin Half Marathon a couple of days earlier. Former Geraldine’s underage player Tomas Cotter was third with Malachi’s man Darragh Greene in fourth.