Local success at Aintree ahead of Irish National

With punters placing their bets on the Aintree Grand National last weekend, it was the locally bred Noble Yeats who came out on top to the surprise of many.

The seven-year-old 50-1 shot won out over two laps and thirty fences on the day, ridden by jockey, Sam Waley-Cohen.

It is understood that the horse has strong local connections, bred from Castlekevin locals’ Flemensfirth mare, That’s Moyne.

Kristene and James Hunter were congratulated on the horse’s victory in a recent statement.

“James, breeding from a small select group of mares is certainly doing something right, as he is also involved in breeding a Mahler winner of a recent Ballynoe Point-to-Point, Encanto Bruno, that was sold through the ring, in Aintree on Thursday evening, from the Colin Motherway yard in Killeagh, to John McConnell racing for £210,000”.

JIMMY GIVES HIS TIP

With the Irish Grand National taking centre stage on Monday, April 18, local talent is set to take to the course again as renowned Conna horse trainer, Jimmy Mangan, has told The Avondhu that he hopes to put forth a mare, Chelsea’s Friend for one of the races.

“I’d give her a good chance. She’ll run very well,” he said.

When asked whether he had any tips for the upcoming Easter races in Meath, Mr Mullins pointed to the Ciaran Murphy trained Enjoy D’allen.

“He was fancied to win in Aintree, but he fell at the first hurdle. I think he’ll win,” Mr Mangan said.

Owned by JP McManus, the highly favoured runner fell at the first fence in Aintree, with jockey Conor Orr thrown from the saddle.

The horse has since been reported to be ‘fresh and well’ since the fall and according to trainer Ciaran Murphy, is ‘definitely an option’ for the Irish Grand National.