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Brassil has Grand National contender to rival Numbersixvalverde in Longhouse Poet

Grand National legend trainer Martin Brassil has another contender for the big one at Aintree in the form of Longhouse Poet. The Irish trainer took the Goffs Thyestes Chase, an Aintree curtain-raiser.

Longhouse Poet could be on the much-loved road to the Grand National for Martin Brassil after earning the trainer a first Goffs Thyestes Chase success since Numbersixvalverde in 2005.

The gelding was Brassil's first runner in the race since then and started at 9-1 under Darragh O'Keeffe at Gowran Park.

Travelling towards the head of affairs in the three-mile one-furlong contest, Longhouse Poet jumped the penultimate fence on terms with Willie Mullins' fancied Franco De Port (15-2).

Longhouse Poet struck the front over the last and stayed on to hold off his rival and secure a three-quarter-length Victory with Mister Fogpatches (11-1) a further four and a half lengths back in third.

"He got a good start and Darragh said he never missed a beat," Brassil said. "He was always able to take him back and give him a breather.
"I would have said he was more effective on heavy ground, but he seemed to handle that.
"I know it's soft, but there's a bit more life in it today. He just really enjoyed it.
"He came alive when he came into the ring, he was really fresh and bright in himself.
"When horses are healthy and well, they don't take a lot of training."

The season after Numbersixvalverde's National win, the trainer aimed for the Grand National and took it in fine style, landing the Aintree spectacular and getting the better of the dogged Hedgehunter by six lengths.

Longhouse Poet has been priced up at 33-1 for the marathon Aintree event, and Brassil intends to also make an entry for the Irish National at Fairyhouse.

"The last time I had a runner in the race (Thyestes) was when Numbersixvalverde won it," he said.
"They're great races to win, these historic races, won by some great horses going back the years.
"It's only his second run in a handicap, but he came from a good school.
"Derek O'Connor schooled him in his point to point, so I didn't have to do too much schooling.
"There's an entry closing on Monday for Aintree, and we'll think of the Irish National as well. They're the type of races we'll be looking at."
He's entered in the Arkle and he'll get an entry in the Grand Annual

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