Longhouse Poet given 33-1 quote for Grand National after Thyestes Chase triumph

Thursday: Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase, Gowran Park

The Sean and Bernardine Mulryan-owned Longhouse Poet gave trainer Martin Brassil his second success in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase, landing an ante-post gamble on the trainer's first runner in the race since Numbersixvalverde won in 2005.

It could not have gone much smoother. Darragh O'Keeffe had a good position on the winner the whole way, travelling well towards the head of a strong gallop set to a good extent by last year's winner Coko Beach and favourite Eklat De Rire, and his mount picked up well from the second-last to repel the strong and persistent challenge of Franco De Port by three-quarters of a length.

Consistent stayer Mister Fogpatches was a further four and a half lengths away in third, while Coko Beach was sixth and Eklat De Rire dropped away to come home tenth of the 12 finishers.

Returned at 9-1, Longhouse Poet had plunged from 25-1 to 6-1 earlier in the week and, if O'Keeffe had any nerves, he certainly did not show it on just his second ride in the race.

He said: “Martin didn't tie me down to any instructions. I decided to come wide in case he got crowded coming into the first, but he had loads of room and winged it. I was able to slot in then and he travelled and jumped every step of the way. I knew I was full of horse jumping the fourth-last but he's lazy and I was biding my time after that for as long as I could.

“It's brilliant to win a Thyestes and especially in front of a big crowd like this. These are the days you want to be riding winners.”

Brassil said: “I thought he wanted heavier ground than that, but he travelled well and surprised me a little the way he went about it. He bounced and jumped really well out of the ground.

"Darragh got a good start and was able to take him back at each fence. He never missed a beat and really enjoyed it. He came alive when he came into the ring, and when horses are happy and healthy, they don't take a lot of training. We always thought he was a nice horse but then you have to go and line up in these competitive races.”

This was only Longhouse Poet's sixth run over fences, having returned from a year off with seventh place in a Limerick handicap chase over 2m3½f at Christmas.

Brassil added: “He came from a good school. Derek O'Connor point-to-pointed him and I didn't have to do much schooling with him. It's only his second run in a handicap, don't forget. I felt he had to go and prove it and he did.”

Longhouse Poet was introduced at 33-1 for the Grand National by Paddy Power and, given that Numbersixvalverde went on to Aintree glory in 2006, a year after landing this contest, thoughts turned to whether Longhouse Poet could follow suit.

Brassil said: “The entries close for Aintree on Monday, so we'll think about that and think about the Irish Grand National too. He's only a second-season novice and he might follow the Numbersixvalverde route of the Irish Grand National this year and Aintree next year, but we'll see.”

Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase: full result and race replay

Read this next:

Klassical Dream removed as Stayers' favourite after Royal Kahala causes an upset

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute