Mixed emotions as Saint comes up a bit short

AFTER two consecutive victories in 2018 and 2019, Tiger Roll had the stamina, the skill and the build to become the first horse since Noel le Mare’s Red Rum to win three successive Grand Nationals. Following last year’s cancellation, sadly this was not to be.

Disheartened, I repeatedly scoured the papers for information on this year’s National, humming and hawing over the forty-strong lineup. No-one seemed to come close to my ‘lucky horse’ Tiger, but it was worth a shot.

The favourite, Cloth Cap, was certainly tempting, but in the end, I settled for Burrows Saint, a popular runner trained by Irishman Willie Mullins, whose jockey son, Patrick, took over at the last minute following the withdrawal of Paul Townend.

An amateur by name only, Patrick Mullins was primed to win following a spectacular performance on Livelovelaugh earlier in the week.

Everything seemed right for Mullins and Burrows Saint, and although I was quite cautious while selecting my ‘lucky horse’ for the family bet, I had a good feeling about Mullins and his thoroughbred.

The luck of the Irish!

On the day itself, Saint powered through the race, agonisingly close to frontrunner Cloth Cap. But when eventual winner Minella Times took the lead under Rachael Blackmore, everything changed.

As Blackmore stormed ahead, many others including Potters Corner and Magic of Light fell away.

However, I still had hope as Mullins remained close behind Blackmore while Mark Walsh on Any Second Now gathered speed.

In the end, it was not to be as Blackmore’s historic victory overshadowed Burrows Saint, who finished in fourth place. Although I was delighted for Blackmore and Minella Times, I can’t deny that my heart sank slightly for Burrows and jockey Patrick Mullins.

I think it’s fair to say that a huge effort was put in all round.

Maybe next year, eh?