Tough conditions but big race win could determine NH title

The conditions were tough and demanding but General Principle got up on the line to claim the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse this evening and put trainer Gordon Elliott in a strong position for the NH title.

Title-chasing Elliott had13 of the 30 runners in the three-mile-five-furlong showpiece in a bid to win it for the first time and boost his prospects of taking the champion trainer title back to Meath for the first time since Willie Mullins claimed it off Noel Meade more than a decade ago.

However, for most of today's thrilling race the Mullins-trained Bellshill looked like giving the defending champion his first  Irish Grand National success.

With David Mullins on board, Bellshill supporters were looking around for dangers approaching the last and then the brakes were applied and the eight-year-old ran down the fence causing enough interference with Elliott's Folsom Blue for the eventual fourth and fifth placings to be reversed.

The Mullins-trained Isleofhopendreams was in pole position after the last until General Principle surged late to win with the Edward Cawley-trained Forever Gold in third.