Isle's dreams quashed again but Danny Mullins happy to play second fiddle

Given the sheer superiority of Burrows Saint's performance in securing Willie Mullins an elusive Boylesports Irish Grand National success, it was easy to overlook the achievement of Danny Mullins and Isleofhopendreams, who emulated last year's gallant effort in second.

From six outings together, they have won once and now been second in four valuable handicap chases, having most recently been runner-up to another stablemate Pairofbrowneyes – a faller at the fourth here – in last month's Leinster National.

It was another case of so near and yet so far here. However, unlike 12 months ago when they were so dramatically collared by General Principle, there was no sense of a missed opportunity for Willie Mullins' nephew.

The opening lap of the Irish Grand NationalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He ran a cracker," Danny Mullins said of his 12-year-old mount. "Everything went to plan. We got away where we wanted and he jumped and travelled great but just got beat fair and square.

"I saw how well Ruby was travelling and was keen to keep on his tail and have a go late. Last year we got chinned on the line so this year I was going to change it a little bit and see if it worked. Unfortunately it didn't, but there will be a big day in him still."

Acapella Bourgeois completed the champion trainer's clean sweep of the first three places under Jonathan Burke, like Mullins emulating his previous best finish in the race following his third aboard Sizing Coal in 2015.

"I was very happy throughout," Burke said afterwards. "He winged fences and settled well behind the leader. He toughed it out well but they got a run on me from three-out to two-out and I just hadn't the petrol to go with them, but he finished well. It was a great run."

Liam Cusack saddled the first non Mullins-trained runner home when Snugsborough Benny came from the rear under Denis O'Regan to be fourth, all of 21 lengths behind the third.

Snugsborough Benny finished fourth in the Irish Grand National under Denis O'ReganCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"He ran a blinder," O'Regan said. "I couldn't have ridden him any other way. It was his first run over three and a half miles and there was plenty of water in the ground.

"To be fair to him he did stay on, but we tried riding him forward in the Paddy Power Chase and it didn't work. He has to be ridden cold early so we're delighted with the run.

"He had a lovely run through and I thought he was close enough to do himself justice from four-out, but we were never going to peg back the horses in front."

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