It’s hard to know which is the most surprising, that the bookies let Lord Lariat go off at 40/1, or that yours truly forgot to put a few bob thereon having had the pleasure of spending an evening in the company of the steed’s wonderful trainer, Dermot McLoughlin.
Sometimes though, it’s not about the punting. It’s about acknowledging and heralding of the achievements of a man who – in what is still a fairly young training career – has trained horses to be placed in the Aintree Grand National (Vic’s Canvass) and win consecutive incarnations of the Irish equivalent, after the very similar victory of Freewheelin Dylan last year.
Last season it was Ricky Doyle, this time Skryne lad Paddy O’Hanlon, but the game plan was almost identical. Jump off in front and endeavour to stay there. Where things differed was that, while Dylan came home in isolation – in every sense of the word – last year, Lord Lariat was mobbed this time around.
Firstly by a host of pursuing equines including Frontal Assault, Screaming Colours, Early Doors, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Velvet Elvis and Max Flamingo, and then by well wishers, most if not all of whom would have missed out on 2021’s breakthrough success for his affable trainer.
You’re on a hat-trick now Red, so are the Limerick hurlers. You deserve a bit of green and gold in your yard, but in the meantime there’s a backlog of celebrations to be dealt with. No better spot than Ratoath to help you with that glorious task either!
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