40-1 shot Lord Lariat has won the Boylesports Irish Grand National for trainer Dermot McLoughlin and jockey Paddy O'Hanlon.
It's a triumphant back-to-back for McLoughlin having been the winning trainer in 2021 when Freewheelin Dylan claimed an amazing 150-1 triumph.
Lord Lariat held off Frontal Assault, who had led from the start until the final stages, by four and three-quarter lengths with favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil coming home in third in the 150th running of the event.
The race had started in messy fashion with a number of aborted attempts to get going, but when the action picked up it was a thriller with a raft of horses in the running approaching the final three fences.
Screaming Colours and Velvet Elvis were also in the hunt heading over the last, but an awkward jump by the former saw some precious ground lost.
Trainer Dermot McLoughlin has made it back-to-back wins in the Irish Grand National after Lord Lariat at 40-1 came home in front for Paddy O'Hanlon @Fairyhouse #rteracing #BoyleSportsIGN pic.twitter.com/UpLVWtEI2K
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) April 18, 2022
Winning jockey O'Hanlon felt there was a big ride in Lord Lariat if they could start well.
"I was delighted coming here today with a ride.
"Dermot was quietly confident that he’d run a big race if we could get him out, get him jumping, travelling away, get him in his rhythm.
"Look, he’s been fairly spot on, he’s done the job."
"I was quietly confident," O’Hanlon continued. "He had a little break after his last run, freshened up. As I say, Dermot was sweet on him. He doesn’t be too far wrong on these stages does he?"
Trainer McLoughlin clearly has the golden touch in this year after consecutive upsets, but like his jockey, he had full faith in the winner.
"This was a nice horse, we laid him out before Christmas, then gave him a break. I was concerned he mightn't get the trip but as I said to Paddy we had to give him a go. He popped out in front, enjoyed himself and travelled well. He utilised his jumping and it all worked out well," he said.
"It probably won't sink in for a while. Paddy lives down the road. We're coming here since a young age. It was great to my have my wife and kids here today; they missed last year."
