'He needs the ground to dry up an awful lot' - six-horse trainer hoping the sun shines ahead of Irish National bid

Max Flamingo: with Denis O'Regan (left) and Francis Casey (right) after winning at Fairyhouse last year

Max Flamingo: with Denis O'Regan (left) and Francis Casey (right) after winning at FairyhouseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Francis Casey hopes the rain stays away for his stable star Max Flamingo as he is geared up for another crack at the Boylesports Irish Grand National (5.00) at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

Casey, a sheep farmer with six horses in training, saddled the son of Kalanisi to finish seventh in the €500,000 contest last year and he returns off a 2lb lower mark.

The eight-year-old, who ran over hurdles at the Dublin Racing Festival last time, met trouble during the 27-runner Irish National 12 months ago and his trainer felt he did well to finish where he did.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

Conor FennellyReporter

Published on 4 April 2023inIreland

Last updated 17:00, 4 April 2023

Copy