The Irish shouted from the rooftops when Bobbyjo ended their 24-year famine in the Martell Grand National 12 months ago.
Even winning jockey Paul Carberry joined in by swinging from the rafters of the unsaddling enclosure in a spectacular dismount.
To be sure, it was something to celebrate for Paul's father Tommy had not only trained Bobbyjo but had ridden Ireland's last winner L'Escargot way back in 1975 when he floored Aintree legend Red Rum.
And who's to say it won't happen again next Saturday?
The Carberry family wrote their own bit of racing history with father and son being the triumphant trainer and jockey team.
To do it two years running would be remarkable.
Although Paul is on course to return from a nagging back injury there could even be another chapter added to the story as Tommy's younger son Philip could be waiting in the wings to pick up a fairytale first National ride.
Philip has already played a major role in Bobbyjo's preparation, riding the 10-year-old over hurdles in the continued softly-softly approach to the big race adopted by his father.
Carberry senior has restricted Bobbyjo to just three outings this season and the 10-year-old has yet to jump a fence in competition since finishing sixth in the Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown last April.
All Bobbyjo's runs have been over hurdles - the latest coming at Leopardstown last month when he was fifth in a two-and-a-half-mile handicap.
'Bobbyjo should be tuned up now for Aintree as he was about 90% ready and a racecourse spin is all we need now,' said the trainer after that run.
The unorthodox build-up has worked for the last two years, leading to victories in the 1998 Irish National and the Aintree spectacular last April.
Bobbyjo was 14lb out of the handicap when beating Blue Charm by 10 lengths in 1999 but will carry 11st 6lb this time.
The main reason Bobbyjo has not run over fences this season is that the going has been too soft. He is suited by better going and hopefully conditions will again be favourable.
Granted good ground, he can become the first horse since Red Rum in 1973 and 1974 to record back to back victories in the world's greatest race.
It is no wonder he is vying for favouritism with the leading bookmakers.
His market rival is Star Traveller (10-11), who burst on the National scene when a staying-on third to Marlborough in the 25-furlong William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer Henry Daly is optimistic, saying: 'If all goes to plan Star Traveller should run well.
'He's already fit so there is no need to push him too much.'
Big-race rider Richard Johnson shares the trainer's confidence. 'Star Traveller is not a flamboyant horse but he's very genuine and entitled to be one of the favourites,' he said.
Should the heavens open and the going turn soft then Daly would also saddle Edmond (10-13), and the Welsh National winner would have to come into the reckoning.
Heading the weights on 12st is last year's Scottish National hero Young Kenny. He and stablemate Niki Dee (10-13) enjoyed a visit to Aintree over a week ago as trainer Peter Beaumont used a bit of psychology in letting them sample the surroundings on a quiet day.
Beaumont said: 'I'm happy with both horses and I wouldn't swap them for any others.'
The Last Fling (11-5) looked special when slamming Niki Dee by 24 lengths at Haydock but blotted his copybook when pulled up in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.
His trainer Sue Smith has not lost confidence, saying: 'He's in good form and we're just hoping for some good ground at Aintree.'
Red Marauder (11-2) has been aimed at the race for a long time and trainer Norman Mason has resisted the temptation of giving his lightly-raced 10-year-old another run since being unplaced in the Racing Post Chase.
It can be foolhardy to dismiss Martin Pipe's horses but his main hope Dark Stranger (10-1) does not appeal despite his convincing victory in the Mildmay of Flete at Cheltenham.
Bobbyjo is not the only Irish runner with strong claims. Micko's Dream, trained by Willie Mullins, (10-10) has been well-backed on the strength of three good runs this winter.
The Victor Bowens-trained Buck Rogers (11-0), Ted Walsh's Papillon (10-12) and Hollybank Buck (10-4), from Tony Martin's yard, all have the form to give connections reasons to be hopeful.
But Bobbyjo is the one who can keep the Irish smiling. The Last Fling, Red Marauder and Hollybank Buck may follow him home.
Martell Grand National:
Coral betting: 8-1 Star Traveller, 9-1 Bobbyjo, 10-1 Young Kenny, 12-1 Betty's Boy, Edmond, 14-1 Micko's Dream, 14-1 The Last Fling, 16-1 Cavalero, Djeddah, 18-1 Dark Stranger, 20-1 Earthmover, Kendal Cavalier, Niki Dee, Red Marauder, 25-1 Escartefigue, Hollybank Buck, Kingdom of Shades, Lucky Town, Luzcadou, 33-1 bar.
Ladbrokes: 7-1 Bobbyjo, 8-1 Star Traveller, 14-1 Betty's Boy, Djeddah, Young Kenny, 16-1 Micko's Dream, The Last Fling, 20-1 Red Marauder, Dark Stranger, Cavalero, 25-1 Papillon, 33-1 bar.
William Hill: 8-1 Bobbyjo, Star Traveller, 12-1 Young Kenny, 14-1 Betty's Boy, 16-1 Djeddah, Edmond, Micko's Dream, 20-1 Cavalero, The Last Fling, 25-1 Dark Stranger, Earthmover, Red Marauder, 33-1 bar.
