Main pic: Haiti Couleurs in today’s Irish Grand National with (inset) owners Helena Conyers and her husband, James.
A horse with strong Donegal links has won today’s Irish Grand National.
Haiti Couleurs (13-2) put up a tremendous performance to win the Boylesports Irish Grand National for trainer Rebecca Curtis and jockey Sean Bowen at Fairyhouse.
The horse is owned by an English consortium called ‘The Brizzle Boys’ from Bristol. The owners are chartered accountant Simon Prowting, lawyer James Conyers and businessman Dave McDermott.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the win, a delighted Conyers said it was also a great day for Donegal as his wife, Helena, hails from the county.
Watch the interview via the following LINK.
A winner at the Cheltenham Festival last month when his regular rider Sean Bowen missed out, the champion jockey-elect in Britain was back in the saddle and gave his mount the perfect ride up front.
Sent off at 13-2, Haiti Couleurs was in the front pair throughout along with Bushman’s Pass and when that one dropped away it became a case of could he hold on.
The Ted Walsh-trained veteran Any Second Now emerged as a big threat, as did the favourite Quai De Bourbon, while Dunboyne had also travelled well into contention.
But Bowen had saved plenty and he went away to win by three and a quarter lengths from the gallant Any Second Now – who was finishing in the runner-up spot for the second year running – with Quai De Bourbon third and Dunboyne fourth.
Tags:
