Thunder And Roses won the Irish Grand National under Katie Walsh
Tuesday 7 April 2015 08:57, UK
Katie Walsh steered the Sandra Hughes-trained Thunder And Roses to victory in a dramatic BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Five horses came to grief at the first fence in the three-mile-five-furlong contest and a number of others failed to complete the course.
However, at the front end, 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 the frontrunning 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 fading on the run-in for fourth spot, ahead of Alderwood, whose chance was compromised by a bad mistake two out, and Tony McCoy's mount Cantlow.
Walsh, sister of legendary jockey Ruby and daughter of trainer Ted, is the third female jockey to win the race - Ann Ferris scored aboard Bentom Boy in 1984 and Nina Carberry struck on Organisedconfusion in 2011.
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Image: Buiseness Sivola and Paul Townend jump the last to win the REA Grimes Property Consultants Hurdle. -
![Buiseness Sivola ridden by Paul Townend]()
Image: Successful trainer Willie Mullins said 'We'll look forward to Punchestown now.' -
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Image: Dedigout jumps the last to win the Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle. -
![A general view of the Parade ring during Irish Grand National Day at Fairyhouse]()
Image: The sun is shining and the crowds are out in force for Irish Grand National Day. -
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Image: I Shot The Sheriff and Paul Townend jump the last to win The Boomerang Animal Bedding Handicap Hurdle. -
![Taoiseach Enda Kenny Shares a joke with Wille Mullins' mother Maureen during BoyleSports Irish Grand National day.]()
Image: Taoiseach Enda Kenny Shares a joke with Wille Mullins' mother Maureen as they enjoy the big-race atmosphere at Fairyhouse. -
![Ruby Walsh and Sempre Medici teamed up for victory in The Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle.]()
Image: Ruby Walsh and Sempre Medici teamed up for victory in The Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle. -
![Katie Walsh celebrates after guiding Thunder And Roses to victory in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.]()
Image: Katie Walsh celebrates after guiding Thunder And Roses to victory in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National. -
![Katie Walsh celebrates after guiding Thunder And Roses to victory in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.]()
Image: Walsh was presented with a large salver by the Taoiseach after her victory. -
![Trainer Noel Meade hugs Eileen Hughes after Thunder And Roses' victory in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.]()
Image: There's a celebratory hug for Eileen Hughes, the mother of winning trainer Sandra, from Noel Meade. -
![A woman shields her eyes from the sun using a Tony McCoy Mask during BoyleSports Irish Grand National Day at Fairyhouse Racecourse, Ratoath, Co. Meath.]()
Image: A racegoer shields her eyes from the sun using a Tony McCoy mask.
"This is absolutely class," said the jockey. "I've had some fantastic days, but this is an Irish National.
"They stopped in front and he kept going. It's great for women in racing."
Walsh added: "He jumped fairly good, to be fair to him. Maybe at the ditch he wasn't so good but, other than that, he was excellent.
"He got into his own rhythm and it all just happened for him. It clicked, he loved the ground, and he produced it all right on the day.
"I didn't think I was going to win to the last, but he absolutely winged it and the other two stopped - I don't think he picked up so much as just kept going!"
The triumph was poignant and emotional for Hughes, who took over the training licence following the death of her father, Dessie, who trained Timbera to win the 2003 Irish Grand National, last November.
Hughes said: "Katie was absolutely fantastic, she just suited him to a tee. She was brilliant and he (Thunder And Roses) was brilliant.
"He stays all day. I was a little disappointed with him at Cheltenham but he came out of it fine so we took our chance.
"We thought all year that this was the race for him and it's not unheard of for a novice to win it. He stays and keeps going and he doesn't mind that ground.
"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 today.
"I have to give a big thanks to Michael and Eddie O'Leary (of Gigginstown) for letting me have the horse and train him for it. I'd say that'll be him for the year."
McCoy, who will ride for the final time at Fairyhouse on Tuesday, was delighted for connections of the winner.
"My horse ran well but the ground was a little bit tacky for him," he said. "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."
