Uncertainty over crowds sees HRI abandon plan to reschedule Irish Grand National

Ongoing uncertainty over Covid-19 protocols for crowds at sporting events has prompted Horse Racing Ireland to abandon plans to reschedule the 150th anniversary edition of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.

It means that for the first time since 1941 – and only the third time in the race's history – the most valuable contest in the Irish jumping calendar will not be run.

In lieu of the lost Fairyhouse showpiece, two other staying handicap chases, the Troytown and Porterstown Chases, will have their purses boosted in November.

The prestigious three-mile-five-furlong contest, traditionally run on Easter Monday, fell foul of the sporting shutdown in the spring, but HRI had announced plans to reschedule the race as part of an enhanced winter programme later in the year.

Burrows Saint: provided Ruby Walsh with a memorable BoyleSports Irish Grand National success in the final weeks of his riding careerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The move initially drew criticism from leading rider Robbie Power, who viewed the race's identity as synonymous with its traditional slot and felt rearranging it would impact negatively on similar races in the autumn.

However, with unlimited attendances at race meetings unlikely in the near future and the desire to give trainers as much certainty as possible in relation to the preparation of their horses, the decision was taken to cancel this year's race entirely.

"It's known by many as the 'people's race', so to stage the race at Fairyhouse without that huge community of locals and racing fans just wouldn't feel the same," said Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe.

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh concurred: "At this point in time there's no certainty around what shape or form attendance at sports events will have come the end of November.

"There's not much point in having the people's race if you can't be certain that the people will be there for it."

Peter Roe on the BoyleSports Irish Grand National: 'To stage the race at Fairyhouse without that huge community of locals and racing fans just wouldn’t feel the same'Credit: Patrick McCann

He added: "The logic for retaining it at the time we announced the original cancellation was for the people of Meath and racing fans in general to have a big day out.

"We can't guarantee that with any certainty as we speak, so we felt it was better to put the money into the other staying chases."

The move sees an increase in prize-money for two other leading winter staying prizes, with both the Ladbrokes Troytown at Navan (previously worth €100,000) and Bar One Porterstown Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse (€50,000 last year) now each boasting prize funds of €125,000.

"We feel it is appropriate to increase our support to two complementary staying handicap chases in November," said HRI's director of racing Jason Morris.

Robbie Power: celebrates success in last year's Ladbrokes Troytown Chase on Chris's DreamCredit: Caroline Norris

"The decision not to run the BoyleSports Irish Grand National was made to give owners and trainers as much notice as possible, and allows connections to firm up their plans for the winter with some certainty."

The cancellation of the popular fixture, which drew an attendance of 12,500 when Burrows Saint triumphed under Ruby Walsh in 2019, should not be viewed as a signal that Irish racing will be without crowds until the end of the year, according to Kavanagh, who acknowledged the precarious picture surrounding when spectators will return.

He explained: "It's uncertain at the moment whether there'll be any crowds – restricted or unrestricted – so against that background you can't start advertising and promoting the Irish Grand National until you know what the situation is going to be.

"I wouldn't link the two, but clearly there is uncertainty, and to some extent that's out of our hands depending on how the general situation moves."

BoyleSports: will continue to support the Irish Grand National until 2024

BoyleSports announced a renewal of sponsorship for the Irish Grand National for the next four years in January and the firm's head of communications Leon Blanche reiterated on Friday that they would continue to support the race.

He said: "BoyleSports are fully committed to this iconic race and will continue to sponsor the people's race up to 2024."

HRI has yet to release full details of its enhanced winter programme but it is understood that premium races from the Punchestown festival are not certain to feature in the fresh schedule.

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