RACING/Irish Grand National: Tony McCoy might not be able to crack the Aintree code, but yesterday's Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse was no problem to the champion jockey who landed a memorable winin Ireland's most valuable steeplechase on board Butler's Cabin.
Less than 24 hours after the US Masters, coincidence punters latching on to the horse named after the presentation area at Augusta were rewarded with a 14 to 1 success as the JP McManus-owned winner held off Nine de Sivola by a length, with the 33 to 1 shot American Jennie in third.
But any effort Zach Johnson put in over the weekend paled in comparison to Butler's Cabin, who was on the verge of collapsing before making the winner's enclosure and had to be quickly led away to the stableyard.
The Jonjo O'Neill-trained horse did the same after his success in the four-mile National Hunt Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival, and McCoy was full of praise for the Cork-born trainer.
"It's an unbelievable training performance to get him back in three weeks from winning over four miles at Cheltenham, collapsing afterwards, and then winning an Irish National," he said.
O'Neill gave a welcome, upbeat report on Butler's Cabin. "He's grand. He runs out of oxygen, but when we throw water on him and cool him down, he's fine within 10 minutes. The following morning after Cheltenham, he was kicking again."
McManus, successful in the race 24 years ago with Bit Of A Skite, was at home in Limerick, but he hardly needed to be present to realise how well his horse travelled on the way to collecting a €100,000 bonus for adding the National to a Cheltenham victory.
"In these big handicaps, what you want is to travel, jump well and avoid trouble," explained McCoy. "I wasn't hindered anywhere. He has the pace to win over two and a half at Cheltenham in November and the stamina to win at four. It was brilliant."
The Antrim-born champion might know the secret to winning on the top staying chasers, but this Saturday's Aintree National remains the only big prize to elude him.
McManus, also an Aintree National virgin, could have four runners in the race, with McCoy on L'Ami.
Four horses exited in a melee at the third-last fence, where Cheeky Lady sustained fatal injuries and Cloudy Lane's rider, Tony Dobbin, was taken to Blachardstown hospital for X-rays to a suspected fractured arm.
The Scottish National at Ayr could be the next target for Nine de Sivola, who challenged Butler's Cabin all the way to the line, but the winner is already being quoted at 33 to 1 for next year's Aintree National.
"All being well, we will look at Aintree next year," said O'Neill, who was making his first visit to Fairyhouse. "He's in the Betfred at Sandown, but I wouldn't think we will go there with him."
Willie Mullins is another leading player in next Saturday's National, and, despite not having a runner in yesterday's feature, he did make his presence felt with an opening race double. The remarkable veteran Adamant Approach could have a crack at the Grade One Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown after beating Sky's The Limit in the first.
"He has been a little unlucky in Grade One races in his career. He fell at the last in the Supreme at Cheltenham and he also fell here in the Powers Gold Cup. Maybe now things are coming right for him," Mullins said.
Scotsirish will aim at the two and a half mile champion novice event at Punchestown on the back of a defeat of Heavenly Blues in the conditions hurdle. "He can improve his jumping, but I would have no doubt about going two and a half," said Mullins, who has up to five runners to pick from in the Aintree National. "Hedgehunter did his final bit of work the other day. I just hope it stays dry for him."
Essex signalled a return to form for Michael O'Brien in the Listed hurdle and could be on his way to the champion stayers at Punchestown, while Nina Carberry got One Cool Guy home in the bumper.
