'Aintree is the dream' - The Big Dog digs deep to land exciting Munster National

Sunday: Limerick

Grand National dreams are very much alive for connections of The Big Dog after the dour stayer dug deep to deny Ain't That A Shame in a thrilling running of the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National.

Thought to be a tailor-made candidate for last season's Welsh National when pulled up after a race-ending mistake, The Big Dog had not been seen since a below-par sixth in the Punchestown Grand National Trial in February.

It had looked like big-race favourite Ain't That A Shame, trained by Henry de Bromhead, was well on his way to victory when coming to the last with at least a length and a half to spare – trading as low as 1.08 in running.

However, he surrendered vital momentum when getting in tight to the final fence and Keith Donoghue was able to engineer a killer finishing effort from The Big Dog to get up on the line by a head.

The Big Dog returns to the winner's enclosure after registering a major success for winning owners Damien and Colin Kelly of Lusmagh, County Offaly

JP McManus' pair Donkey Years and A Wave Of The Sea filled the frame without being able to trouble the front two.

Delighted winning trainer Peter Fahey said: "We brought him in a bit earlier this year because last season we centred everything around the Welsh National and we were unlucky.

"We had been protecting his mark, but he made a mistake at Chepstow and the reins went out over his head so he had to pull up. He got a bit of an injury after his last start at Punchestown so it's great to get one of these big handicaps now. He battled well."

Damien and Colin Kelly's nine-year-old is available at 50-1 with Ladbrokes for the Randox Grand National at Aintree in April.

Fahey added: "He'll probably go to the Troytown and a few of those staying chases, but the dream would be if he ended up an Aintree horse. I'm sure there'll be good celebrations tonight with the Kellys."

Rebel causes Listed upset

There was a major upset in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alainn Mares' Hurdle as Rebel Ivy – rated just 117 – ran out an easy ten-length winner over 2021 Coral Cup heroine Heaven Help Us and bitterly disappointing 4-6 favourite Queens Brook.

Trained by James Motherway, who was recording his first winner under rules since the same mare won at Limerick on December 26, Rebel Ivy travelled like the winner from before the home straight and sauntered clear at 18-1 under a confident Sean O'Keeffe.

Rebel Ivy is a surprise winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alan Mares Hurdle

Motherway said: "I'm over the moon. I told Sean to ride her for a place and see how she got on from there, and he felt it went easy for him all the way.

"She was travelling so well that I was afraid to watch over the last two hurdles. She's always threatened to be a nice mare but has been fractious previously. Now she's a lot more relaxed and stronger."

Moore back in business

It was an important afternoon for jockey Jonathan Moore when he recorded his first winner since returning from a six-month layoff after suffering a serious back injury in the Topham Chase at Aintree in April.

Moore expects to be teaming up plenty with Anthony McCann this season and landed the opening 2m maiden hurdle for the Monaghan-based trainer with smart prospect Kiki Badger, winner of a Tipperary bumper by 21 lengths on his previous start.

Jonathan Moore is all smiles at Limerick after recording his first winner after a serious back injury

It was just Moore's third ride since returning from injury and his first winner since March.

McCann said of the winning 5-4 favourite: "It was his first start over hurdles but we were very confident as Mags Mullins, who previously trained him, had done a lot of jumping with him. She deserves credit. I thought he jumped well.

"I'm delighted for Jonathan to get a winner back after his injury and hopefully we can kick on now as we have some nice horses coming out over the coming week or so."

Danny at the double

Danny Mullins continued to put pressure on Jack Kennedy at the head of the Irish jump jockeys' championship as he registered a double for trainers Willie Mullins and Andrew Slattery.

Plains Indian (left) keeps on best to deny The Friday Man in the Listed Dunraven Arms Hotel Novice Hurdle

Useful bumper performer Polo Lounge was not for catching in the second division of the 2m maiden hurdle as 8-13 favourite, before Slattery saddled his first Listed winner over jumps in the Dunraven Arms Hotel Novice Hurdle with 5-1 shot Plains Indian.

Kennedy leads the standings with 41 winners to Mullins' 35, with the sidelined champion jockey Paul Townend sixth in the table on 25 winners.

Results, replays and analysis

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