Proud tradition of great local winners of the Irish Grand National

SON OF WAR

The Desert Orchid lookalike, Son Of War survived a massive scare at the third-last to win the 1994 Irish Grand National for local jockey Frankie Woods, son of Paddy who looked after the mighty Arkle.

Nuaffe looked to have an unassailable lead turning into the home straight, but Woods arrived with a perfectly-timed challenge on Son Of War to score at 12-1 for trainer Peter McCreery.

BOBBYJO

The fabulous father and son combo of Tommy and Paul Carberry teamed up to take the 1998 Irish Grand National with Bobbyjo, who famously went on to win the English equivalent at Aintree the following year.

Tommy, successful aboard Brown Lad in 1975 and 1976, saw his talented son get the better of a tremendous duel with the then teenage amateur champion Ruby Walsh, aboard his father Ted's top eight, Papillon, before a record crowd of over 25,000 spectators at a sun-kissed Fairyhouse.

Bobbyjo, running in the colours of London-based Galway publican Bobby Burke, was backed from 14-1 into 8-1 on the day and landed some hefty wagers.

DAVID’S LAD

Tony Martin compared the Irish Grand National to the "Olympics" after sending out David's Lad to land the spoils in 2011 under a cool ride from Timmy Murphy.

The 10-1 shot stayed on strongly under a patient Murphy ride to beat Rathbourne Price and Sheltering.

Martin was overwhelmed by the occasion afterwards. He said: "The race itself is like the Olympics. It's like the biggest race of the year. But we were all hoping that we'd have a clear run. It's great it worked out."

It certainly did work out and David's Lad was a hugely popular local winner.

THE BUNNY BOILER

Noel Meade had to wait a while to celebrate his first Irish Grand National success but it did finally arrive in 2002 thanks to the stamina-laden The Bunny Boiler under Ross Geraghty.

The 12-1 shot followed up his Midlands National win at Uttoxeter the previous month with a typically tenacious victory, surviving a scare at the last to deny Give Over.

ORGANISED CONFUSION

The Carberrys are synonymous with the Irish Grand National and in 2011 it was the awesome amateur Nina who hogged all the headlines by becoming only the second female rider to land the spoils after Ann Ferris in 1984.

Trained by her uncle Arthur Moore, Organisedconfusion was sent off 12-1 as Nina followed in the footsteps of her brothers Paul and Phillip by winning Ireland's richest and most prestigious jumps race.

"I'm delighted," said Carberry afterwards. "They had faith in me and gave me great instructions to just go out and enjoy yourself – hopefully go down the inside and get a bit of light. He made a few little mistakes but was as safe as houses and I'm glad I got the opportunity." Nina may have got the opportunity, but she certainly made the most of it.

LION NA BEARNAI

Lion Na Bearnai sprung a 50-1 shock for Drumbaragh-based trainer Tom Gibney and jockey Andrew Thornton, a native of Robinstown.

Lion Na Bearnai ran out a four and a half length winner from the Edward O'Grady-trained Out Now and provided Gibney and Thornton with the biggest wins of their careers.

Gibney trained just five horses at the time and Lion Na Bearnai's owners, the eight-member Lock Syndicate, were neighbours and former school friends of the trainer.

Lion na Bearnai was the first horse Gibney bought. He cost just €8,800 as an unbroken four-year-old, he was bought across the road from Fairyhouse at Tattersalls Ireland's sales complex. It was money well spent.

SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR

Local boy Barry Geraghty returned to a rapturous Fairyhouse reception after ending his Irish Grand National hoodoo in 2014 with a thrilling victory aboard the heavily backed Shutthefrontdoor. It was a race Geraghty always wanted to win and he admitted afterwards that a lifelong dream has been lived out.

"It's brilliant, as I've never even got close before," Geraghty beamed after steering home the first successful clear favourite since Omerta in 1991. He added: "It's lovely to win the big local one and it has been a long time coming. Shutthefrontdoor gave me a great ride and battled well."

OUR DUKE

Robbie Power is one of the greatest sportsmen to come out of County Meath and the Summerhill native guided Our Duke to an emphatic victory in 2017.

The classy novice was supported all the way into 9-2 favourite and those who participated in the plunge never had a moment's worry as the Jessica Harrington-trained seven-year-old picked up the running before four out and powered up the home straight to beat Bless The Wings by 14 lengths.

It was one of the most impressive winners of the Irish Grand National for many a year.

GENERAL PRINCIPLE

Gordon Elliott finally cracked the Irish Grand National code in 2018 when General Principle came out on top in one of the most thrilling finishes of the famous race.

Bellshill, the class act of the contest, looked to have the race in the bag coming down to the last but he slowed right up into the final fence and caused carnage.

Less than two lengths separated the first five home but it was General Principle, one of Elliott's 13 runners, who dug deepest to score under JJ Slevin by a head from Isleofhopeanddreams at odds of 20-1.

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