I Thought I’d Won The BoyleSports Irish Grand National

Folsom Blue was very unfortunate in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.

Folsom Blues
He handled the ground conditions very well. I thought coming to the last fence I was going to win the race. Then unfortunately there was the issue with Bellshill running down the fence which then collided with Arkwrisht and then me so it was just a dominoes effect.

Folsom Blue came to a standstill then and ended up being beaten a length and a quarter.

I felt if I’d have got a straight run from the back of the last fence to the winning post we definitely would have won.

That’s horse racing though and unfortunately these things happen. It would be harder to take if I hadn’t won the race last year. It was a bit disappointing for Gary O’Brien and the rest of the owners.

Fair play to Fairyhouse
The ground was very testing over the two days. It has just been an unbelievably wet Spring but in fairness to Fairyhouse they did a fantastic job.

We had fresh ground on the hurdle track both days and a lot of fresh ground on the chase track yesterday also. The racecourse did a fantastic job ensuring the track was raceable all weekend and I think it was perfectly safe. All the runners and riders came home safe which is the main thing.

Other Rides
We were delighted with Alletrix finishing third to Laurina. Her owners are delighted to get very valuable Grade 1 black type. If she can find a race without Laurina she’ll do very well indeed. She’s extremely competitive and she’s probably the second or third best mare after Laurina this season.

Jetz ran a cracker in the Grade 2 Novice Hurdle. He’s been so consistent this season and has done nothing wrong. Every time he runs, he runs his heart out. He was well beaten going to the last and Pallasator jammed on.

At one point I thought I was going to pick him up but we were delighted with the second place. Maybe in Punchestown on nicer ground he might get his head in front. He rode with a hood on for the first time which did settle him a bit more; sometimes he can be too keen in his races.

Aintree Grand National
I’m riding Welsh Grand National winner Raz De Maree in the Aintree Grand National. He’s a mud lark so I’ll be hoping this weather keeps up until then.

If the ground gets very testing then he’ll have an extremely good chance.

He would struggle on good ground. It’s hard to expect a 13-year-old to win the race but if the ground turns up the way he likes it then he would have a sure chance. Gavin Cromwell has done a fantastic job to keep him well and keep his enthusiasm for the game at 13-years-old!

I might get over early next week to give him a ride beforehand. To be fair though, there’s no panic; he knows more about jumping fences than I do!