AN INCREDIBLE SUCCESS FOR PADDY IN NATIONAL

Ian Fortune

I must admit I failed to join the dots when it came to Irish Grand National winning jockey Paddy O’Hanlon and his connection with greyhound racing.

Thankfully, not for the first time in recent weeks, Vinnie Grennan was on the ball.

There was a reason Paddy looked familiar to many in greyhound racing circles as the Skryne based jock has strong links to the sport. Indeed, he has led out many talented trackers over the years for Ian Reilly and his brother Lenny O’Hanlon.   

Of course, Lenny won the Texacloth Juvenile Derby at Newbridge in 2018 with the then named Ulysses. He went on to be renamed Boylesports Xtra and was amongst the best and most consistent in training during his long career. Lenny also trained a couple of hugely talented sprinters including the Tralee 325yd record holder Ballymac Sexton.

And so, when Paddy charged across the line on Monday afternoon aboard 40-1 chance Lord Lariat we should have been shouting for him from the rooftops. At just seven years old, Lord Lariat clearly has a bright future and his owner Pat Blake has already suggested a crack at the Aintree Grand National could be on the horizon in 2023.

Who knows? This time next year we could be celebrating another major victory for Paddy and Lord Lariat. In the meantime, well done to Paddy and we look forward to welcoming back to the track in the near future as a Grand National winning jockey.