'I'm their hero now' - how a lifetime's dream was realised with Aintree victory

A few in the point-to-point community would probably like to see the back of Joe O’Shea, who relishes being the outsider of the well-to-do scene in the north-west of England.

Should a couple more deeds be scrubbed from his list in the coming weeks, then this unrepentant Mancunian force of nature might be tempted to grant them their wish.

O’Shea chalked off almost a lifetime’s ambition when saddlingCousin Pascal to success in the Rose Paterson Foxhunters’, an achievement underscored by a hefty return from the bookmakers about a 66-1 chance. He is also leading the national standings for point-to-point trainers with seven or fewer horses in their care.