Lord Lariat makes it a double for McLoughlin
LORD Lariat provided local trainer Dermot McLoughlin with a second successive victory in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse yesterday.
A year on from 150/1 shot Freewheelin Dylan causing an almighty shock in the Easter Monday feature, Lord Lariat got his name on the roll of honour at odds of 40/1 under 7lb claimer Paddy O’Hanlon.
While there were plenty of fallers in behind, there was not much change at the front end for much of the three-mile, fivefurlong journey, with Frontal Assault giving a bold sight for a long way.
Lord Lariat joined him early in the home straight and galloped on strongly from the secondlast to claim big-race glory by almost five lengths.
Frontal Assault filled the runner-up spot, while 11/2 favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil jumped and travelled strongly for a long way but ultimately had to make do with minor honours in third.
Screaming Colours and Early Doors finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
McLoughlin, who also enjoyed an Easter Sunday double at Fairyhouse, said of the winner: ‘Our plan was to jump him out, but I was a bit concerned about getting the trip.
‘Obviously we wanted to get a start like we did last year and utilise his jumping as he is a good jumper. Paddy said he got plenty of breathers into him and it all worked out well.
‘We’ve been aiming for this since before Christmas. He won a ladies’ race here in November when he ran away with the jockey, Joanna Walton, and she said then he would get further.
‘We’re 10 minutes down the road, there was nobody here last year but my family and everyone is here this year – it’s unbelievable.
‘Paddy started off with me five or six years ago. He went over to England and tried the Flat there but had no luck and came back and rode a couple of winners for me on the Flat.
‘I said “Paddy forget about the Flat, you’re going to be a big lad” and he took to jumping like a duck to water. He won a couple of hurdle races and it went from there – he’s flying now.’
Last year’s winner Easy Game landed an eventful renewal of the Devenish Chase.
A field of six went to post for the Grade Two contest, with Easy Game a 15/2 chance to successfully defend his crown for Willie Mullins in the hands of Brian Hayes.
There was an early change to the complexion of the race after the winner’s stablemate Blackbow suffered a heavy and ultimately fatal fall at the third fence, leaving another Mullins runner in Janidil in front.
The latter was the 8/11 favourite, having been placed in the Irish Gold Cup and the Ryanair Chase, but he too crashed out in the back straight.
His exit left Cilaos Emery in the lead, but he was claimed by Easy Game and there were seven and a half lengths separating the pair at the line.
‘It was a little fortuitous,’ said Mullins. ‘I thought the horse would need the race but he finished out very well and jumped well. I’m very happy for Nick Peacock, the owner. It’s disappointing with Janidil falling and the other fella (Blackbow) unfortunately didn’t make it.’