Irish National goes for export as Haiti Couleurs does it for Wales History was made in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National, as Haiti Couleurs became the first Welsh trained winner of this prestigious race. Fourth and second in two point-to-points when in the care of Harley Dunne, the Dragon Dancer eight-year-old was subsequently bought by Rebecca Curtis for 68,000 pounds. The winner of the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month, the Brizzle Boys-owned bay was well-fancied to follow-up today, going off the 13/2 joint-favourite. In a share of the lead with Bushmans Pass for much of the contest, the Sean Bowen ridden victor gained an outright advantage from four out. Pushed along before the second last, he skipped a few lengths clear approaching the final fence, finding plenty when ridden on the run-in to see off the late effort of Any Second Now by three and a quarter lengths. The subject of late support into 17/2 (from 18s early), 13-year-old Any Second Now was filling the runner-up spot for the second successive year. The Willie Mullins-trained Quai De Bourbon (11/2f) was six-and-a-half lengths back in third under Paul Townend, while Dunboyne (22/1) ran an admirable race in fourth. "Sean just said to me there 'I thought we had another circuit to go, I was in second gear the whole way'," Curtis revealed. "He is so tough to do it like he has done it, on that ground as well as it was a bit of a worry - but it wasn't a bother to him. "He does (travel through his races). Although he stays well, he is not what I call a slow horse at all. He has got a high cruising speed. "I think this feels like one of our best wins, just the atmosphere and everything. "I did feel the pressure, I haven't slept for about two weeks. "I was calm until the last two fences. "To me, it is a bigger win than Cheltenham because it is hard to come here and win an Irish handicap, I know that." When asked if he could be a Gold Cup horse next year, she replied: "If he keeps improving, yes." For his part, Bowen added: "I honestly can't believe it. He was doing a half speed the whole way around, he was hacking and at the same time I was frightened as he got fairly revved up beforehand. "I actually thought I'm a bit too keen, as he was doing everything in second gear. I'm so grateful to everyone, obviously I couldn't ride him at Cheltenham and I'm so grateful to Becky for letting me back on him. "He just stays very well and jumps very, very well. No words, no words." The proud Welshman, who will be crowned champion jockey in the UK for the first time on Saturday, went on to say: "To be champion jockey is all I've ever wanted and I supposed when you get it then you want to do more. I need the big winners as well and it's great that this lad has done it for me." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Bioluminescence, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Now Is The Hour, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race. * D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Kinturk Kalanisi, trained by Thomas Gibney, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a mistake at the second last. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Moonovercloon trained by Matthew J. Smith was found to have blood at both nostrils post race, probably as a result of a fall. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Raceday Stewards that Bushmans Pass trained by Oliver McKiernan was found to be lame on its right fore post race. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
