What did you do this weekend? On Saturday I headed down to the pub for a few shnakey ones and had a fish pie (which is something I would highly recommend if you haven't tried it) in O'Connell's public house in Howth.
Back home onto the couch, to watch the race that seems to attract even non punters every year, the Aintree Grand National, apparantly watched by 600 million others this year.
To even get around the Aintree racecourse in one piece looks to be an achievement.
I have been fortunate enough to have been at the Merseyside venue for an Irish winner and attended homecomings here in the aftermath.
This year Grand National winner Tiger Roll received a hero's welcome as the champion horse and his trainer Gordon Elliott were treated to a rapturous homecoming in the village of Summerhill in Co Meath the day after their famous win in what must have been a demanding 24 hours for the connections!
A remarkable eight-year-old, Tiger Roll added the world's greatest steeplechase to his CV when hanging on in a dramatic finish to emerge victorious by a head from the strong-finishing Pleasant Company, trained by Willie Mullins.
In doing so he gave trainer Elliott a second win in the Aintree spectacular, after Silver Birch in 2007, and was adding to his three triumphs at the Cheltenham Festival.
Owner Anita O'Leary and the trainer along with stable staff paraded through the Royal village.
A native of Summerhill, Elliott's pride and joy paraded down the main street surrounded by a couple of hundred people, in company with stablemates Bless The Wings, who was third, and General Principle, who landed the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday.
They all posed outside Shaw's Pub after the parade and no doubt it was a long night for all concerned. I celebrated the achievement with thanks to Katy Perry.
What did you achieve this weekend? Hats off to @_Davy_Russel_ on an unrale few days. Winning the worlds greatest steeplechase and a double in Tramore....Up the Rebels! Heres an audio montage broadcast @TodayFM to celebrate the Tiger's roar. pic.twitter.com/o1QHE7Y234
— Paul Collins (@paulcollinstipp) April 16, 2018
No rest for Davy though - he even managed to record a double in Tramore less than 24 hours after his great Merseyside achievement. Back to basics for the Youghal native in more ways than one, congrats to all concerned.
It's clear Davy's young fella is also intent on following his Dad into the horseworld!
The poor couch pic.twitter.com/jldtpg88Nt
— Davy Russell (@_Davy_Russel_) April 15, 2018
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