Local long shot wins for the ‘small guy’

The Ladbrokes Irish Grand National is one of the most precious jewels in Ireland’s racing crown, and it was Lion Na Bearnai who came up trumps, returning at odds of 33/1, with the crowds happy to cheer him into the winners’ enclosure with his popular local trainer Tom Gibney.

It was very much a result for the “small man”; Gibney trains only five horses and jockey Andrew Thornton is still a conditional, so for both of them this was overwhelmingly the biggest successes of their respective careers.

The winning Lock Syndicate are a seven-strong team. Some are old school friends of the trainer and live locally to him at his base near Kells, so no doubt there will be some big celebrations.

Irish Grand National Day was given a touch of the star treatment with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, his wife Fionnuala, and their two sons Ferdia and Naois all in attendance. Mr Kenny made the presentation to the winning connections of the National.

The three-day Easter festival at Fairyhouse is always a great meeting and they were not let down this year. Well-supported Flemenstar was a popular winner of the Powers Gold Cup on Sunday for his colourful trainer Peter Casey, who managed to keep his post-race comments pretty tame, making a change from the last time his horse won.

JP McManus saw his famous green and gold colours carried to victory twice on Sunday with Simon Gray and Jenari. It was to be doubles for him again yesterday. AP McCoy, teaming up with Get Me Out of Here, who hasn’t won for two years, took the opener. Later, Alderwood won the third race for trainer Thomas Mullins.

Michael O’Leary of Ryanair, who runs his horses under the Gigginstown House Stud banner, had a mixed day. In the Champion Point to Point Flat Race, his Rogue Angel was first past the post but was deemed to have caused interference to runner-up Balnaslow. After a stewards’ inquiry, the placings were reversed. In the final race on the card, he had Don Cossack, who lived up to his reputation to win at a canter.

The day began with the typically bleak bank holiday weather, but the ladies were not to be deterred and more than 250 registered for the most stylish lady competition.

The winner was Michelle O’Connor from Navan, who had nicely accessorised with red shoes, a red belt, and red leather gloves. There were also runner-up prizes for Caroline Webb and Becky O’Brien.

The guest judges included Rosanna Davison, Brendan Courtney, and the general manager of sponsors Carton House, David Webster.

Courtney said: “The most stylish lady competition is a wonderful way to celebrate the incredible and unique style of Irish women and our finalists displayed that perfectly. Michelle was a very deserving winner and we all agreed that her look was effortlessly chic, elegant, and in keeping with the theme.”

There were plenty of well-known faces among the 13,216-strong crowd enjoying the racing, fashion, and shopping village.

Brian Ormond and his wife Pippa O’Connor, model Celia Holman Lee, Tracy Piggott, Gráinne Seoige, Sean Munsanje, comedian Paddy Courtney, Dragons’ Den star Gavin Duffy, and stylist Cathy O’Connor were all enjoying the pageantry.