Casey aiming high with Max Flamingo Francis Casey reports Max Flamingo in good form and firmly on course for a crack at the BoyleSports Irish Grand National despite unseating his rider at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival. The Easter Monday highlight at Fairyhouse has proved a happy hunting ground for some of the smaller yards in recent years with the likes of Dot Love, Tom Gibney and Dermot McLoughlin all on the trainers’ roll of honour over the past decade. McLoughlin’s Freewheelin Dylan recorded a massive 150/1 shock when successful last year and Max Flamingo will bid to record another heart-warming local success. The Kalanisi gelding won twice over hurdles last spring including a handicap at Fairyhouse on the Irish National card and has shown promise since switched to fences this season. He was been placed twice in beginners chases at Fairyhouse won by Gabynako and Lieutenant Command and well-backed into 11/2 for the €125,000 Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Chase but unseated Paddy O’Hanlon at halfway. The seven-year-old continued riderless to finish alongside eventual winner Birchdale and Casey, who has just four horses in training, reports him none the worse for the experience. “He came back fine. He ran in Leopardstown more for experience than anything and he probably knew that because he jumped them all afterwards. I never saw a horse to do anything as well and I know he had ten stone less on his back!” said the Stamullen trainer. “He’ll run next Sunday in Leopardstown (TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase) all going well but the National is his goal and he won at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday last year.” (Alan Magee)
