FAIRY ‘MAGIC’

Thrilling Irish Grand National on rein-y day at course

IRISH Grand National winning jockey, JJ Slevin said “it’s magic” after he saddled Intense Raffles to victory in a thrilling race at the Meath track yesterday.

The 13/2 shot, trained by Meath trainer Tom Gibney, has given the Wexford jockey his second Irish Grand National win in six years at the Co Meath track. It has also given Gibney his second Irish Grand National win in 12 years.

Despite the inclement weather and heavy track, it didn’t dampen the spirits of thousands of punters who watched the richest race in the country – the €500,000 Boylesports Irish Grand National.

And among the crowds were outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and former jockey Nina Carberry who has been nominated to run for Fine Gael in the European elections.

Field

It was the smallest field in over 20 years with just 21 runners, competing for the €500,000 monster pot.

The runners were led to the start line by the Ward Union hunt horses as the Garda Band performed Amhran na bhFiann that ignited the crowd, riders and horses.

Despite a false start, the race was underway just after 5pm with the fog lifting and rain stopping for the big race.

Slevin, the second Irish Grand National win for him in 2018 on the Gordon Elliott trained General Principal, said he was “very fortunate” t o pick up Monday’s ride.

Despite a fall two weeks ago in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Slevin said his Irish Grand National victory was “a great ride.”

He admitted trainer Tom Gibney predict- ed dur

ing the week that he thought Intense Raffles “will win” the country’s richest race.

Slevin said afterwards: “I feel lucky to pick up the ride and I am very fortunate. It’s magic.

“It was a great ride. Tom said to me during the week I think he will win and he was right.”

Trainer Tom said Intense Raffles “is a fantastic horse,” that has given him his second Irish Grand National win.

In 2012 he enjoyed his then biggest success as a trainer when Lion Na Bearnai.

After the win, he said:

“It’s fantastic, I am getting hugs and kisses, sure it feels like a wedding.”

SHOCKS AND SMILES: Racing fans look on in the rain; (right) others find shelter

CHIC: Emily McKevitt and Chloe Kelly from Newry watch the racing in style

TENSE VICTORY: Jockey JJ Slevin and trainer Tom Gibney celebrate winning irish Grand National

UNDER COVER: Three ladies try to keep dry from the weather

HAY-LARIOUS: Kieva Howler and Sarah McConville from Newry

MANE MEN AND WOMEN: Nina Carberry, Leo and Simon Harris (right); the outgoing Taoiseach with Nina and Helen McEntee (left) and (below left) Varadkar with the crowd

PUNCHING THE AIR: Some of the enthusiastic racegoers at the festival