Shock 150-1 Fairyhouse hero Freewheelin Dylan seeks Midlands National repeat

7.35 Kilbeggan
AXA Smart Farm Insurance Midlands National Handicap Chase | 3m1f | 5yo+ | RTV

Few would have imagined we were witnessing a future Irish Grand National winner landing this race last year, but Freewheelin Dylan took his form to a new level last spring to become the biggest priced winner in the Fairyhouse highlight's history at 150-1.

Having finished a respectable fourth at the Punchestown festival over 3m7f since, the Dermot McLoughlin-trained stayer is 11lb higher than his nose success in Kilbeggan's biggest race 12 months ago.

His weight is eased a bit by Richie Deegan claiming 5lb, but his biggest challenge may well come from stablemate The Echo Boy, now 8lb higher than his latest win in the Connacht National at Roscommon last month.

Denise Foster has five runners and popular 14-year-old Kruzhlinin is a live contender off 10st 3lb, with Jordan Gainford taking off 5lb.

With John Ryan's team in fine form, it wouldn't be a surprise if useful mare Waitnsee was involved at the finish.

What they say

Dermot McLoughlin, trainer of Freewheelin Dylan and The Echo Boy
I'm very happy with both horses, they've had nice preparations. Freewheelin Dylan is obviously much higher in the weights than when winning this race last year, but he goes there in good form. We'll get past this first, but we could think about giving him a break after Friday and then possibly bring him back for a cross-country race in November and head on to Aintree. The Echo Boy is a good horse in his own right and won well at Roscommon last time when the race worked out nicely for him.

Denise Foster, trainer of Kruzhlinin, The Big Lense, Mortal, Roaring Bull and Dounikos
Kruzhlinin ran well at Killarney and this has been the target for him since. The trip should suit him well and he ticks a lot of boxes. It's The Big Lense's first start for the guts of a year. This looks a competitive starting point for him. There was some encouragement to be taken from Mortal's run at Listowel and hopefully he can build on that. We know Roaring Bull's ability from previously but he's been coming down the weights. The same applies to Dounikos, who has been struggling lately but that's reflected in his mark.

Enda Bolger, trainer of Shady Operator
We're hoping for a bit of nice ground and that the rain keeps away. He stays the trip fine.

Padraig Roche, trainer of Uisce Beatha
We're looking forward to running him and hopefully the ground should be okay. Simon [Torrens] gets on well with him, having won two nice handicaps on him last season.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Rapid Response
I think the trip should suit her very well.

John Ryan, trainer of Waitnsee
She's a Graded winner and I think this nice ground will suit her well. Danny Mullins is back on board and that's a big plus – he's won on her before. I think she's got a huge chance if everything goes well. We're going there extremely hopeful.

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