Small trainer Tom Gibney ‘buzzing’ after winning Irish Grand National for a second time with Intense Raffles

8 months ago 61

IF you don’t buy a ticket you can’t win the Raffles – and small-time trainer Tom Gibney’s big punt paid off.

He decided to roll the dice with the inexperienced Intense Raffles, and the classy grey galloped home impressively to win the Irish Grand National.

Tom Gibney and JJ Slevin with Intense Raffles at Fairyhouse[/caption]

It was a big step up in class and distance for the six-year-old, who had only won two small-field races since his switch to Ireland from France.

But he took the occasion in his stride under JJ Slevin – for all he almost threw the race away with a terrible mistake at the fifth last when absolutely tanking along.

He was much more assured in the home straight and kept on strongly in the mud to win at 13-2 to give Gibney, who only has a small team of horses in County Meath, his second win in the historic race.

Gibney said: “I’m buzzing. That’s every bit as much of a thrill as 2012 with old Lion Na Bearnai, for different reasons.

“He came here as second favourite and we had huge confidence in him. He ran just like we expected he would. It’s a very satisfying feeling.”

It was also Slevin’s second win in the big’un at Fairyhouse, though he admitted he felt sorry for jockey Daryl Jacob, who would have taken the ride but for breaking his collarbone late last month.

He said: “The horse was getting a bit lonely coming to the last but he was brave and saw it out really well.

“My heart goes out to Daryl, this is his ride and he would have been here today had he not got injured.”

Popular veteran Any Second Now stayed on late in the day from off the pace to finish second.

He’s hit the frame twice in the Grand National at Aintree, and his trainer Ted Walsh was as proud as punch with the 12-year-old.

He said: “He’s a grand old horse and he has run a great race. With a bit of luck he’d have won one of these Nationals, but he has always done us and himself proud.”