Enjoy D'allen holds leading National claims.© Photo Healy Racing
Ciaran Murphy is hoping fortune favours Enjoy D’allen when he looks to bounce back from an early Aintree fall in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.
The eight-year-old unseated Conor Orr at the first fence in the Randox Grand National, a race he went into off the back of a solid third in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and a decent hurdles warm up.
The gelding was a 20-1 shot for Aintree and became an intriguing prospect for racing fans as he was purchased by JP McManus, one of the sport’s most high-profile owners, in March.
“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 kept on well to be a four-and-a-half-length third to shock winner Freewheelin Dylan in the Irish National last year and Murphy hopes he is in similar form, despite carrying 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.
Though his Aintree faux pas was frustrating, connections will seemingly have that target in mind next season.
“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 for McManus in the race, with School Boy Hours and Time To Get Up also towards the head of the betting.
