KATIE WALSH declared her win in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday as ‘absolutely class’.
Walsh steered the Sandra Hughes trained 20-1 shot Thunder and Roses to victory. "This is absolutely class," Walsh said.
"I've had some fantastic days, but this is an Irish National. They stopped in front and he kept going.
"It's great for women in racing. He jumped fairly good - to be fair to him. Maybe at the ditch he wasn't so good but, other than that, he was excellent."
Trainer Sandra Hughes, a daughter of the late Dessie Hughes, was thrilled to secure the Irish National. "Katie was absolutely fantastic, she just suited him to a tee. She was brilliant and he (Thunder And Roses) was brilliant.
"He stays all day. I was a little disappointed with him at Cheltenham, but he came out of it fine so we took our chance.
"We thought all year that this was the race for him. He stays and keeps going and he doesn't mind that ground.
"Someone above was helping us out. Dad always loved this race and to do it for him is wonderful. Dad was with us all the way.
"I have to give a big thanks to Michael and Eddie O’Leary for letting me have the horse to train him for it.”
