National dream still alive for Casey with Max Flamingo

Max Flamingo booked his ticket for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National when easily landing the odds in the opening Horse & Jockey Beginners Chase at Thurles.

The absence of likely favourite Fighter Allen due to the drying ground (officially good) meant the seven-year-old went off a red-hot 4/7 favourite and connections had few anxious moments. Bacardys made the running under Danny Mullins and drew clear along with Max Flamingo from a mile out.

The Casey’s homebred son of Kalanisi led from three out and, with Denis O’Regan oozing confidence in the straight, cruising home on the run-in to score by a very easy three quarters of a length.

The pair finished all of 35 lengths clear of Fest Deiz in third.

Winning trainer Francis Casey said, “His whole plan is the Irish National and he is entered. The weights are out next week, but he is rated 142 and should get in. I don't know if this will affect his handicap mark or not but I don't think the second horse is a 142-rated horse. so he probably ran to his mark.

"I didn't really want to win our beginners chase at this time of year but we were disappointed with his jumping the last day so we said we'd go for this.

"Denis said he loved the ground but wouldn't want it any quicker.

"He'll run in the Irish National next and us small men have to dream big!"

(TW & AM)