20/1 Barrow triumphs in the National
Monday, 17 April 2006 16:59Point Barrow sprung a 20-1 surprise in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
The Pat Hughes-trained eight-year-old took it up four fences from home under Philip Carberry and the rider eased him down in the shadow of the post to beat Oulart.
A New Story was third, with American Jennie fourth, but hot favourite Dun Doire never really got into it and finished out of the frame despite staying on doggedly under Mick Fitzgerald.
Well Presented set the early pace in the three-mile-five-furlong race, with Carberry content to settle his mount in the chasing pack.
He bided his time and worked his way into the race slowly as Doodle Addle injected an extra bit of pace some way from home.
Point Barrow, winner of two Graded chases last season, came through to lead and although the well-supported novice Oulart tried his best, Carberry was celebrating his one-length win long before the line.
Supreme Developer was the sole British-trained raider but he never figured for trainer Ferdy Murphy and jockey Keith Mercer.
Hughes said: "I've been five and a half months without a winner and I have had five horses placed in the last week so I was due this."
"I have always thought he would be a National type of horse and I told Philip to go out and be handy and not let him get out of his ground. He gave him a great ride and I'm really delighted."
"He's a horse who doesn't do much at home and he is very lazy but he really came alive today when he came into the parade ring."
Dessie Hughes, trainer of the runner-up, said: "He ran better than I expected for a novice. It was his first try at three miles five so we had to ride him to get the trip but the winner was just that much better."
"He will go to Punchestown for a novice handicap chase and he could develop into an Aintree horse in the future."
A New Story's trainer Michael Hourigan said: "If he comes out of this OK he could go for the Betfred (at Sandown on April 29)."
"He did get hampered by a faller and while Andrew (McNamara) would have preferred not to have been stopped, I don't think it made much difference."
Filed by Katie Byrne
