Paul Carberry© Photo Healy Racing
The Grade 3 Tote.ie Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse today has a small but select field of four runners, headed by 2023 BoyleSports Irish Grand National winner I Am Maximus
The race is named in honour of local hero Bobbyjo, who won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in 1998 for Tommy Carberry en route to winning the Aintree Grand National the following year. Bobbyjo beat Papillon in the Irish Grand National and Papillion himself went on to win the Aintree feature in 2000.
Bobbyjo’s jockey, Paul Carberry, reflected back on that special Irish Grand National in 1998 in what was a remarkable era for Irish staying chasers.
"It was straightforward enough. I hadn't ridden him that many times over fences being retained by Noel Meade," he said.
"I had seen him a good few times and Garrett Cotter rode him a good few times and won on him a good bit. I always thought he was using him too much, so I knew I just had to save a bit.
"I got a nice lead off Ruby (Walsh on Papillon) over the last two or three fences and I had something to follow that day.
"Going down to the third-last, he stood off the wings and gave an almighty jump - I knew I had lots left then. I just had to follow Ruby and just keep going after him.
"I got a good jump at the last, we battled it out and just got up in front and won by half a length in the end."
