Former Irish Grand national winning rider Robbie Power has come out staunchly against the suggested plan to rearrange the BoyleSports Irish Grand National to a date later this year.

Writing in his most recent blog post for Boylesports he asserted;

“The BoyleSports Irish Grand National belongs to one day and one day only, and that is Easter Monday”.

He then added; “After Horse Racing Ireland’s announcement to have it rescheduled this winter, I don’t see where it would fit in the calendar between October and December. There are many other major handicap chases and racing festivals on during those months. Obviously, it was very disappointing last week to hear of the cancellation of the 150th BoyleSports Irish Grand National, and also the Punchestown Festival. But, considering the situation we’re in at the moment with the outbreak of COVID-19, it was the right decision.

Irish Grand National Day always has a story to tell

“Ever since 1990 when I went to watch Desert Orchid, I’ve attended every Irish Grand National, as a jockey or a spectator. It’s disappointing to lose it this year but let’s have the 150th running at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday next year.

“I really hope that Fairyhouse, as a racecourse, HRI and BoyleSports, as sponsors of the race, will all get their heads together and make the 2021 running a memorable one” emphasized Power.

Power, who is Horse Racing Ambassador for the sponsor Boylesports and partnered Our Duke to win the race three years ago, it is reported that he hasn’t missed an Irish National in the last 30 years.