'Aintree is the dream' - The Big Dog has Grand National aim after Troytown win

Sunday: Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase, Navan

The Big Dog is certainly one for the big day.

The Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase, the marquee race of the season at Navan and one with a rich history, was added to his haul of lucrative handicaps that already included a Munster National and a Grand National Trial at Punchestown and brought his career earnings to €209,250.

That kitty is not closed yet either as Keith Donoghue, who delivered the 11-1 shot with precision timing to collar the courageous Lifetime Ambition on the run-in, thinks the Grand National at Aintree would be right up his street.

Donoghue said: "Aintree is the dream. I'd love a go on him in the Grand National and it's a race that would suit him. He's a real stayer and when I got left in front his ears were pricked. He absolutely loved it."

It has been some season for Donoghue. The gifted rider is best known for his association with Tiger Roll but he has spread his wings this season and is now one of the most sought-after freelancers around. This was his 31st winner of the campaign and he remains in the top five.

Reflecting on the season as a whole and this latest big-race success, he said: "I have to work so hard with my weight that it makes these big winners, especially ones like this at my local track, all the sweeter. That was brilliant. The Troytown is a massive race for anyone growing up in Meath. I was second in one before on Roaring Bull and it's brilliant to win it."

The share price in Peter Fahey continues to rise on the jump racing stock exchange and the trainer was on the same wavelength as Donoghue in relation to the ultimate goal for The Big Dog.

Fahey said: "The way he's performing he could end up being a Grand National horse.

"I was telling the owners after Limerick that he’d improve a good bit, but he stepped up today. We had a stop-start season last time and things weren’t right the year before, but it’s great now. He’s a very lucky horse for us."

He certainly has been a lucky horse for everyone involved and it was an emotional success for brothers Damien and Colin Kelly, who own the stamina-laden nine-year-old.

Damien said: "Our dad, who is no longer with us, gave us the love for horseracing and for days like this. We came to Navan as young children. We had a point-to-point horse in 2014-15 and he gave us a bit of profit, so we invested in two horses. One turned out to be The Big Dog and he means more to us than just a horse."

Your heart would have to go out to Lifetime Ambition and his young rider Conor Smithers. He was a sight for sore eyes out in front the whole way and it was only an awkward landing at the last that handed the initiative to The Big Dog. He gave everything.

"He's run a cracker and really enjoyed himself. Conor gave him a great spin," said Jessica Harrington.

The 3-1 favourite Frontal Assault had no excuses in fifth and it was his lesser-fancied stablemates Death Duty and Coko Beach who completed the placings for Gordon Elliott.

This was The Big Dog's day, though. He is making a habit of hogging the limelight on the big days. Could he do it again at Aintree in April? He is into 25-1 with most firms to do just that.

And 74-year-old Michael Delaney from Dunshaughlin had some good news on that front.

"I was here the day Mr What won the Troytown in 1957," he told me. "And he went on to win the Grand National the following year, so maybe The Big Dog can do the same."

Stranger things have happened, Michael.

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