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Dermot McLoughlin lands more National success with The Echo Boy

Dermot McLoughlin added the Connacht National to his Irish Grand National triumph
Dermot McLoughlin added the Connacht National to his Irish Grand National triumphCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The Echo Boy continued the National-winning theme for trainer Dermot McLoughlin with a 20-1 victory in the Connacht version.

While it was not quite as earth shattering as stablemate Freewheelin Dylan’s 150-1 win in the Irish Grand National, this latest National success was greeted with delight by McLoughlin.

He said: "I'm delighted with him. The key was getting him to settle because he had been a bit keen previously, but he seemed to enjoy himself today."

Having primarily been campaigned at 2m4f, The Echo Boy relished the step up in trip to 3m½f and saw off 2-1 favourite Jerandme by two lengths in the hands of Paddy O’Hanlon.

"He likes good ground and as long as it stays like that the plan will be to keep going for the rest of the summer. He's a nice horse and it was a good performance," the winning trainer added.

Gibraltar impresses on first hurdle start

The Willie Mullins-trained Gibraltar kicked off the card with an easy victory in the 1m7½f maiden hurdle under Jack Foley.

Formerly trained by Michael Bell, with a mark of 71 on the Flat, the odds-on favourite made no mistake on his first start over hurdles.

As a half-brother to 2018 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle winner Redicean, he has the potential to go on from this initial success.

Jockey Cathal Landers rode a quickfire double in handicap hurdles, scoring with Gone Racing on his first ride for trainer Mark McNiff before guiding Fest Deiz to victory for Kieran Purcell.


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Published on 8 June 2021inReports

Last updated 19:31, 8 June 2021

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