Irish Grand National News: Take two for Enjoy D'allen after early Aintree exit
- Tom Reed
- 18 April 2022
The JP McManus-owned Enjoy D'allen was a first fence casualty in the Aintree Grand National so should have plenty left in the tank for Easter Monday's BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Enjoy D'allen should have plenty left in the tank after ditching his rider Conor Orr at just the first fence in the Aintree Grand National recently.
Bought by leading owner JP McManus, there were plenty of each-way bets on the eight-year-old, only for a premature ending where Enjoy D'allen wasn't able to show what he can do.
Trainer Ciaran Murphy is hopeful his charge can make it to the business end at Fairyhouse in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National on Monday, April 18.
"It was horrendous bad luck at Aintree - we just couldn't believe it had happened," said Murphy.
"He jumped the fence perfectly, but he caught his front foot with his hind toe and just shot Connor (Orr) out of the saddle. It was just a one in a million thing and was unfortunate it happened that day.
"We just have to draw a line under it."
Enjoy D'allen was a solid third to shock winner Freewheelin Dylan in the Irish National last year and Murphy has his fingers crossed that his runner can go close again, even though he carries 6lb more this time.
"He will go there fresh. If he can produce that level again, we would love to think we might be in the shake-up," added Murphy.
The first fence fall at Aintree leaves plenty of options open, including a potential return to Merseyside next Spring.
"I would love to think we can go to Aintree with him next year, and have a good go," said Murphy.
"It will be down to Frank (Berry, racing manager) and JP, but he will be a lovely horse for the Paddy Power next year and the National. He is a staying chaser.
"He had a very light campaign on purpose this year and hopefully his exertions at Aintree haven't taken too much out of him. If they haven't, we hope he will go there and run a nice race and the rest is a bonus."
Enjoy D'allen is one of eight McManus-owned horses in the race, with School Boy Hours and Time To Get Up also pushing the market leaders.
