The Echo Boy wins a good pot for jockey Paddy O'Hanlon© Photo Healy Racing
Dermot McLoughlin picked up another National in the shape of the Connacht one in Roscommon through The Echo Boy (20/1).
McLoughlin memorably saddled Freewheelin Dylan to land the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April at 150/1.
In this staying contest over an extended three miles, prominent racer Lord Lariat departed at the second of the 15 fences and Nick Lost soon picked the lead from fellow Gigginstown runner Valdieu
Nick Lost enjoyed himself out in front as he jumped from fence to fence under Hugh Morgan who replaced the stood down Dylan Robinson.
The pair held a lead of four lengths at the halfway stage from Valdieu with The Echo Boy in third.
The leader was still going strongly five out but was niggled along reaching the home turn as Valdieu and The Echo Boy cut into his lead. At this stage the 2/1 favourite, Jerandme was pushed along to tack onto The Echo Boy.
Valdieu wasn't fluent three out and it was The Echo Boy who came between horses into a narrow lead two out.
He had a bit more of a margin at the last and was driven out by Paddy O'Hanlon to beat Jerandme by two lengths. Nick Lost (10/1) was another two and a quarter length back in third. The Dabbler got involved in the latter stages to finish fourth ahead of Valdieu.
McLoughlin said: “I said to Paddy today that we were going to try and drop him in a bit, as there would be plenty of pace, and just try and get him home.
“The last day in Ballinrobe he was a bit keen and had run his race at halfway. I knew if he settled he'd get the trip as he had won a couple of point-to-points.
“Paddy said he felt turning in that he had plenty of horse. He saved and saved a bit and when he went for him he obviously stayed at it. He jumped well and it was great.
“That should man him up a bit there too. The biggest thing was to get him to relax and he's obviously done that today.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
