• Horse Racing

Shutthefrontdoor wins Irish Grand National

ESPN staff
April 21, 2014
Jockey Barry Geraghty (left) won the Irish National for a first time © PA Photos
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Tranier Jonjo O'Neill celebrated a second Irish Grand National win in eight years as well-backed favourite Shutthefrontdoor held off a late challenge from Golden Wonder in a thrilling finish at Fairyhouse.

Jockey Barry Geraghty, sporting the colours of owner JP McManus, kept the 8/1 shot well in contention throughout much of the three miles and five furlongs and held his nerve top pass the post ahead of the Dessie Hughes-trained Golden Wonder.

Former commentator Wilson dies

  • Julian Wilson, the former BBC racing presenter and commentator, has died aged 73 following a long illness.
  • Wilson spent 32 years at the corporation before he retired in 1997. After joining the BBC in 1966, Wilson went on to commentate on some of the sport's most memorable races, including Red Rum's Grand National win in 1973.

It is the first time Geraghty has won the Irish National; he was given the ride after original jockey AP McCoy was suspended.

Golden Wonder edged ahead coming around the home turn, but Shutthefrontdoor rallied to poke a head in front and take top prize. Saoirse Dun and Jamsie Hall completed the top four.

"He was in a great position all the way and jumped really well," O'Neill told Attheraces.com. "Everything went right for him.

"He has done nothing wrong all season. He had a great run at Cheltenham and after that we thought this was the race for him. Plan B didn't work out too badly!

"He will have good rest and is hopefully okay and we can look forward to next season. He needed a big leap at the last, he got it and battled on really well."

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