Grand National success would be ideal way to finish
Easter Monday. Fairyhouse. Irish Grand National. Remember the day, because it will be the last opportunity to see Tony McCoy in action around the famous old course.
In fact, it will be the last chance to see Ireland’s greatest ever sports person (arguably) and the greatest jockey who ever lived (beyond doubt) ride anywhere in Ireland as he nears his retirement at the end of April.
McCoy has only one previous Irish Grand National success to his name when he rode Butler’s Cabin to triumph in 2007.
That 14-1 win for JP McManus and trainer Jonjo O’Neill ticked another famous race off McCoy’s bucket list, but it is a tally he would dearly love to add to on Easter weekend.
The champion jockey returns to Fairyhouse for the Irish Grand National having missed out on appearing at the festival last season. And what a costly miss it proved to be.
McCoy was due to team up with hopeful Shutthefrontdoor, but due to a three day whip ban picked up in the days before the meeting, he was forced to give up his ride to Barry Geraghty.
The disappointment at missing the steeplechase blue-riband was compounded when Geraghty took home the title on board the 8-1 shot.
McCoy’s last trip around Fairyhouse for the Irish Grand National saw him finish 10th aboard Competitive Edge in 2013 while he pulled up two from the end aboard Groody’s Hill in 2012.
McCoy will almost certainly be aboard Shutthefrontdoor for the Aintree Grand National on April 11 but has another option for Fairyhouse if he so wishes.
He has admitted he will make up his mind just two days before the race to see whether he may switch to Cause Of Causes, which is currently priced at 12/1 for the Fairyhouse showpiece.
Regardless of what McCoy does end up saddling for the race, he will face quality at every fence with Don Cossack receiving top weight of 11st 10lbs while Roi du Mee could be coming into form after a recent win at Down Royal.
The early movers in the ante-post market are Grand Jesture by Henry De Bromhead and the Tony Martin trained Gallant Oscar. Martin has a total of six runners for the race with much interest in Buddy Bolero and Rivage D’or.
Willie Mullins has never enjoyed the glory of a Grand National success at Fairyhouse but is entering two quality horses the race. Perfect Gentleman is rated at 16-1 while Dogora is more of an outside hope at 25-1.
Ultimately with any Grand National it comes down to a huge slice of luck as to what horses will make it over that final fence still with a chance of success.
McCoy has proved that there is very few men who are as able to get around a course and crucially time a run for success as well as the Antrim man.
A good horse gives a trainer a chance for success, but a good jockey combined with serious horsepower is a formidable advantage.
The meeting is the final chance to see McCoy claim glory on Irish shores. It is not an event you will forget in a hurry.
Click here for ticket information and full details of the 2015 Fairyhouse Easter Festival including the BoyleSports Irish Grand National on Easter Monday
