Aintree on the radar again for Tom Gibney

Patience and faith are things that local trainer Tom Gibney probably knows plenty about and he was rewarded today at his local track when the 2012 Irish Grand National winner Lion na Bearnai got his head in front again for the first time since that epic victory.

Lion na Bearnai recorded that famous victory in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National almost two years ago and since then has only got to the track four times up until today (form was PP57) and the last outing was disappointing at Navan last month.

However, the 12-year-old put in a great round of jumping for Ashbourne jockey Andrew Lynch in a two-mile and five handicap chase for horses rate less than 140 (Lion was rated 138 at the off).

Competitive Edge the 6/5 favourite made a number of mistakes to finish four lengths back in second with the Gordon Elliott-trained Shrapnel a neck further back in third.

Lion na Bearnai is owned by the Lock Syndicate and is trained near Drumbaragh (Kells) and could now head for Aintree a year after he was scheduled to go there.  

“It’s great to still have him and for him to still be showing that ability. He’s felt good all season. We were delighted with his first run over hurdles but he was disappointing last time. He’s in at Aintree and hopefully we’ll head there,” siad the trainer.

Conall Collier