03 April 2023 , 19:00
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Dermot McLoughlin has resisted the lure of Aintree to chase a remarkable third straight win in the Irish Grand National.
The trainer pulled off a huge feat when Freewheelin Dylan stunned Fairyhouse punters at 150-1 two years ago – and followed up with a 40-1 shot. Titleholder Lord Lariat was in the frame for the Grand National, but McLoughlin's chaser will stay at home to try and plunder the Easter Monday feature once again.
"The Grand National looks strong, so we thought no panic, let's leave it for another year," said McLoughin. "Lord Lariat enjoys Fairyhouse and his prep has been good. You'd have to be hopeful."
McLoughin's long association with the Boylesports-backed race, run less than five miles from his stables, goes back to the 60s. His father Liam won it riding Kerforo for Tom Dreaper, whose record ten winners include chasing legends Arkle and Flyingbolt.
McLoughin, who trains just 40 horses, readied Lord Lariat for the challenge with run over hurdles at Leopardstown in March. The seventh place blew away the cobwebs before he races off a 9lb higher mark in less than a week's time.
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"It has been unbelievable to win the Irish National twice," added McLoughlin, whose other entry The Echo Boy could run elsewhere on the card. "We look forward to it every year and have been lucky."
Lord Lariat will try to win back-to-back renewals of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National (PA)Lord Lariat is 12-1 with William Hill, two points longer than joint ante-post favourites Thedevilscoachman and Gaillard Du Mesnil, who is also in the reckoning for Aintree.
Spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “Lord Lariat has been steadily popular since the market for the Irish Grand National opened, but easily the best backed contender is Thedevilscoachman, who won well at Limerick last time and the extra few furlongs should be no issue.
“We are happy to lay him, though, as his jumping could be a major issue in a race of this nature, while connections have always thought he needs really soft ground to be at his best.”