National treasure: Dessie's dramatic Fairyhouse triumph 30 years on

Easter Monday in Ireland is always special. The Irish Grand National takes centre stage at Fairyhouse and invariably dominates the general sporting headlines. On April 29 1990, though, it was different. This time it was extra special, as a certain 11-year-old came to town.

The people's horse, an equine idol who already had a Cheltenham Gold Cup (1989) and three King George VI Chases (1986-88-89) to his credit on a stellar list of career wins, Desert Orchid possessed an aura that these days seems almost unimaginable.

To many, he was more than a horse – he was a phenomenon. The opportunity to see Dessie strut his stuff on Irish soil in the Jameson-sponsored Irish Grand National, under 12 stone over the gruelling 3m4f trip and 24 fences, was an exhilarating prospect. It was an Irish National day like no other.