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From tragedy to triumph - the day Rogue Angel proved a gift from above

Scenes of emotion: Mouse Morris with Ger Fox after the 2016 Irish Grand National triumph with Rogue Angel
Scenes of emotion: Mouse Morris with Ger Fox after the 2016 Irish Grand National triumph with Rogue AngelCredit: Caroline Norris

The much-loved Mouse Morris, one of the most gifted racehorse trainers in Ireland, suffered tragedy in 2015 with the loss of his son Christopher.

Emotions therefore ran high the following spring when Morris sent out the Irish Grand National winner Rogue Angel, before completing the Irish-English Grand National double with Rule The World's victory at Aintree just 12 days later.

The scenes were raw when Morris welcomed back Rogue Angel at Fairyhouse and, while words were hard to come by, it was easy to see where the legendary handler's thoughts were as he muttered "that’s for Tiffer” when making his way to the winner's enclosure.

Tiffer, of course, was how Christopher was affectionately known as to his family and friends.

A while later, Morris summarised: “It’s unbelievable. Tiffer was looking down on me today. He helped me there. That’s just special.”

Irish Grand National winner Rogue Angel and Ger Fox
Irish Grand National winner Rogue Angel and Ger FoxCredit: Patrick McCann

The outcome provided Ger Fox with his biggest career win. The Meath native, who'd previously won the Kerry National on Rogue Angel, employed similar front-running tactics on the gelding, who toughed it out, beating Bless The Wings by a short head.

Fox said afterwards: “What he has is guts and when he got headed, he battled and got back up again. He never gives up."

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