Sheep farmer Francis Casey convinced he has live Irish Grand National hope

Francis Casey, son of the late, great Peter Casey of Flemenstar fame, believes he has a big chance of winning the BoyleSports Irish Grand National next Monday with Max Flamingo, who has been trained with the race in mind since November.

A novice won the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday and Casey, a sheep farmer whose County Meath stable consists of six horses all of whom he bred himself, thinks lightning could strike twice in the Easter Monday marathon.

Casey said on Monday: "I think he's got a big chance, I really do. I'm convinced he will stay and, with a bit of luck in running, I think he's going to take a bit of beating.

"We galloped him at the Curragh today [Monday] and it all went very well. Denis [O'Regan] was very happy with him. He was a bit free but enjoyed himself and I want him going to Fairyhouse a bit undercooked. He's by Kalanisi and they are all better off being a bit undercooked than overcooked."

Irish Grand National entries

Max Flamingo won a 2m6f handicap hurdle at last year's Easter festival at Fairyhouse, but has quickly established himself as a much better chaser, with Casey hatching the Irish Grand National plan in November when his seven-year-old chased home Arkle second Gabynako and subsequent Grade 1 winner Fury Road in a beginners' chase.

He explained: "Everything has been geared towards this since November. When he ran so well in that beginners' chase, we said we'd have a good go at the National.

"The few times he ran bad, he wasn't right at all. We've all that sorted now. Even at Leopardstown last month he wasn't himself and jumped out to his right, but he stayed on and was beaten just 11 lengths."

Max Flamingo, who opened his account over fences at Thurles just over three weeks ago, is a 16-1 shot with Coral and Ladbrokes, but 10-1 favourite with sponsors BoyleSports.

The Casey family shot to fame with Flemenstar, a four-time Grade 1 winner between 2012 and 2015, with Peter Casey always providing colourful content in interviews. He passed away in January 2018.

Francis added: "I've six in here now and I bred them all myself. It was a three or four year plan. It was my only hope.

"I'm farming away as well, I couldn't survive without that. I'm busy lambing at the minute, so it's been a hectic couple of weeks. It'd be great if it all came together next Monday and Max Flamingo did the business. I think he'll be bang there at the business end."

BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase

BoyleSports: 10 Max Flamingo, 12 Death Duty, Farclas, Gaillard Du Mesnil, School Boy Hours, 14 Corach Rambler, Full Time Score, 16 bar

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'I've no regrets over selling Noble Yeats – it's my best day in racing'

'He wasn't popular at all' – Noble Yeats a big winner for the bookies

2022 Grand National result: where your horse finished and who won

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