Boylesports Irish Grand National
Grade A Handicap,
Fairyhouse 17:00
€275,000 added, 5yo plus,
3m 5f, Class 1  
Monday 6th April 2015

1 Thunder And Roses 20/1
2 Rule The World 20/1
3 Sizing Coal 40/1
4 Band Of Blood 50/1
5 Alderwood 66/1
NR: Grand Jesture (IRE), Usuel Smurfer (FR)
28 ran Distances: 4¼l, ½l, 7½l
TIME 8m 8.20s (slow by 51.20s)

Thunder And Roses wins the BoyleSports Irish Grand National for Sandra Hughes under Katie Walsh

Five casualties at the first fence: Job Is Right, Vics Canvas, Daring Article, Empire Of Dirt and She's Got Grit

Thunder And Roses
© Caroline Norris
Thunder And Roses

Katie Walsh steered the Sandra Hughes-trained Thunder And Roses to victory in an eventful race.

Five horses came to grief at the first fence in the three-mile-five-furlong contest and a number of others failed to complete.

A wave of three runners for leading owners Gigginstown House Stud led the field turning into the home straight, with 20-1 shot Thunder And Roses alongside the Mouse Morris pair of Rule The World and Band Of Blood.

The trio jumped the final fence virtually as one, but Thunder And Roses picked up best on landing, galloping all the way to the line to secure a four-and-a-quarter-length victory.

Rule The World held onto the runner-up spot from Sizing Coal, with Band Of Blood weakening on the run-in for fourth spot.

In a dramatic race, five horses came to grief at the first fence and only nine of the 28 runners completed the course.

Walsh, sister of legendary jockey Ruby and daughter of trainer Ted, said: "This is absolutely class.

"I've had some fantastic days, but this is an Irish National.

"It's great for women in racing."

Hughes said: "Katie was absolutely fantastic, she just suited him to a tee.

"She was brilliant and he (Thunder And Roses) was brilliant.

"Someone above was helping us out. Dad always loved this race and to do it for him is wonderful. Dad was with us all the way."

Tony McCoy, riding in his final Irish Grand National before retirement, finished sixth aboard the Paul Webber-trained Cantlow.

"The horse ran well but the ground was a little bit tacky for him," said McCoy.

"I thought he had a little chance turning in, but the ground got the better of him.

"It was great for Sandra Hughes and Katie Walsh - brilliant."

Free Racing Tips

Boylesports Irish Grand National Chase
(Extended Handicap) (Grade A)
€275,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 5f, Class 1
28 ran
Going: Soft, Soft to Heavy in places

Pos Dist Horse SP Jockey Weight Trainer Age
1st Thunder And Roses (IRE) 20/1 Ms K Walsh
10-6
Ms S Hughes 7
2nd Rule The World 20/1 D J Mullins (5)
10-11
M F Morris 8
3rd ½ Sizing Coal (IRE) 40/1 J J Burke
9-13
J T R Dreaper 7
4th Band Of Blood (IRE) 50/1 A P Crowe
10-3
M F Morris 7
5th Alderwood (IRE) 66/1 N P Madden
11-0
T Mullins 11
6th Cantlow (IRE) 12/1 A P McCoy
10-6
P R Webber 10
7th 2 My Murphy (IRE) 16/1 R M Power
10-10
W J Burke 9
8th No Secrets (IRE) 25/1 D E Mullins
10-2
A J Martin 11
9th Rivage D'Or (FR) 25/1 S A Shortall (5)
10-5
A J Martin 10
PU If In Doubt (IRE) 18/1 G N Fox (5)
11-7
P J Hobbs 7
PU Perfect Gentleman (IRE) 10/1 R Walsh
10-10
W P Mullins 10
PU The Job Is Right 14/1 M A Enright
10-10
M Hourigan 7
PU Pass The Hat 33/1 D J Casey
10-9
A L T Moore 8
PU Los Amigos (IRE) 8/1f A E Lynch
10-8
J T R Dreaper 8
PU Lots Of Memories (IRE) 14/1 P D Kennedy (5)
10-8
P G Fahey 8
PU Dogora (FR) 25/1 P Townend
10-5
W P Mullins 6
PU Tammys Hill (IRE) 20/1 B T O'Connell
10-5
L Lennon 10
PU Silver Tassie (IRE) 40/1 P Carberry
10-2
N Meade 7
PU The Crafty Butcher (IRE) 33/1 D J Condon
10-2
M Hourigan 8
PU Champagne James (IRE) 10/1 A P Heskin
10-1
T M Walsh 7
PU Alpha Victor (IRE) 40/1 P Buchanan
10-0
W Kinsey 10
PU Clar Na Mionn (IRE) 66/1 R C Colgan
9-11
V T O'Brien 8
F Vics Canvas (IRE) 14/1 C D Maxwell (3)
10-8
D A McLoughlin 12
F Lion Na Bearnai (IRE) 33/1 K C Sexton (3)
10-5
T Gibney 13
F Empire Of Dirt (IRE) 9/1 L P Dempsey (5)
10-2
C A Murphy 8
F She's Got Grit (IRE) 20/1 C O'Farrell
9-13
T O'Brien 10
F Daring Article (IRE) 33/1 P T Enright
9-11
R Tyner 9
UR Rogue Angel (IRE) 33/1 Ms N Carberry
10-0
M F Morris 7
NR Grand Jesture (IRE) 12/1 J J Burke
11-0
H De Bromhead 7
NR Usuel Smurfer (FR) 33/1 B Hayes (3)
10-5
J J Hanlon 7

Free Racing Tips