Irish Grand National’s decline in overdrive

Mixed emotions watching the final of the Irish Grand National from Harold’s Cross on Tuesday night. On the positive, it was great to see the Pat Kiely-trained Comeout Russell land the spoils for the Golden Spoon Syndicate of Kilworth.

A terrific servant to connections, this success was hardly surprising given he broke the track record at Curraheen Park on his second outing over hurdles. On that occasion he made all to post 28.59, whereas in Tuesday’s final he had to pull out all the stops to get up late for a narrow victory.

The win extended his perfect record over obstacles to four, prompting one well-known racing personality to tweet ‘What’s the difference between Comeout Russell and Faugheen? Russell is unbeaten over hurdles!’