As ever, the big guns were out in force for the 2021 edition of the race, with 12 of the 28 runners hailing from the yards of Willie Mullins, Joseph O’Brien, and Mrs Denise Foster – who was deputising for the suspended Gordon Elliott at the time. The consistent Agusta Gold was rated the best of the Mullins contingent, with Thyestes Handicap Chase runner-up Run Wild Fred being the shortest-priced of the Foster runners.
British interest was provided by the Philip Hobbs-trained Jerrysback, who made the trip over from Somerset and was one of five runners going in the green and gold of JP McManus. Paul Nolan’s Latest Exhibition was sent off clear favourite on the day, with the eight-year-old dropping down from Grade 1 level into handicapping company.
Result
- 1st – Freewheelin Dylan 150/1, Jockey: Ricky Doyle, Trainer: Dermot McLoughlin
- 2nd – Run Wild Fred 9/1, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Mrs Denise Foster
- 3rd – Enjoy D’allen 40/1, Jockey: Conor Orr, Trainer: Ciaran Murphy
- 4th – Latest Exhibition 9/2F, Jockey: Bryan Cooper, Trainer: Paul Nolan
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – €216,000
- 2nd – €76,000
- 3rd – €36,000
- 4th – €16,000
- 5th – €8,000
- 6th – €4,000
- 7th – €2,000
- 8th – €2,000
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – €232.10
- Tote Places – 1st – €25.10, 2nd – €2.80, 3rd – €6.50
- Exacta – €1,811.40
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – €1,162.45
- Trifecta – €3,549
- Tricast – €42,221.16
Recap
A number of the fancied runners performed well on the day, notably Run Wild Fred, and, in particular, Latest Exhibition, who put in a mighty effort under top weight. In the end, all were made to play second fiddle to the rank outsider of the field, as the locally trained Freewheelin Dylan caused the biggest shock in the history of the great race.
Freewheelin Dylan took a lead into the first of the 22 fences, but by fence number two he had the advantage. Quickly into a lovely rhythm, his fast and accurate jumping looked to be an asset from an early stage and soon had the field strung out in behind. There was, however, still a long way to go and with more fancied runners tracking in behind – headed by the Gigginstown House Stud duo of Coko Beach and Run Wild Fred – most expected it to be only a matter of time until the outsider was overhauled.
However, well into the second circuit, the mount of Ricky Doyle continued to bowl along without a care in the world as many of those in behind began to toil. Headed off the final bend, Freewheelin Dylan still had the lead. Challenges came from Run Wild Fred, Latest Exhibition and Enjoy D’allen, but the leader found more to kick again and score by just over a length
A fairytale result for trainer Dermot McLoughlin, who is based only around the four-mile distance of the race from the track, and whose father Liam rode the 1962 winner of the race, Kerforo. Jockey Ricky Doyle meanwhile rode the winner on what was his very first ride in the race.
Runners
- 1. Latest Exhibition – SP: 9/2F, Trainer: Paul Nolan, Jockey: Bryan Cooper
- 2. Court Maid – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Thomas Mullins, Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
- 3. Escaria Ten – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Mrs Denise Foster, Jockey: Adrian Heskin
- 4. Brahma Bull – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Bryan Hayes
- 5. Coko Beach – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Mrs Denise Foster, Jockey: Jordan Gainford
- 6. Mortal – SP: 150/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Shane Fitzgerald
- 7. Home By The Lee – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: J J Slevin
- 8. Off You Go – SP: 25/1, Trainer: R P Burns, Jockey: Mark Walsh
- 9. Salsaretta – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Conor McNamara
- 10. Espanito Bello – SP:16/1, Trainer: Barry Connell, Jockey: Mark Bolger
- 11. Agusta Gold – SP: 6/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Danny Mullins
- 12. Snugsborough Benny – SP: 80/1, Trainer: Liam Cussack, Jockey: Richard Deegan
- 13. The Big Dog – Non-runner
- 14. Moyhenna – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Denis Hogan, Jockey: Hugh Morgan
- 15. Scoir Mear – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Thomas Mullins, Jockey: Simon Torrens
- 16. Enjoy D’allen – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Ciaran Murphy, Jockey: Conor Orr
- 17. Discordantly – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Mrs John Harrington, Jockey: Robbie Power
- 18. Dragon D’estruval – SP: 100/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Kevin Brouder
- 19. Jerrysback – SP: 33/1 , Trainer: Philip Hobbs, Jockey: Jody McGarvey
- 20. Run Wild Fred – SP: 9/1, Trainer: Mrs Denise Foster, Jockey: Jack Kennedy
- 21. Sempo – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Donagh Meyler
- 22. Robin De Carlow – SP: 12/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- 23. Ten Ten – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Non-runner
- 24. Atlantic Shore – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Philip Fenton, Jockey: Kevin Sexton
- 25. Brace Yourself – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Noel Meade, Jockey: Sean Flanagan
- 26. Fitzhenry – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Paul Nolan, Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe
- 27. Freewheelin Dylan – SP: 150/1, Trainer: Dermot McLoughlin, Jockey: Ricky Doyle
- 28. Roaring Bull – Non-runner
- 29. Top Moon – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Denis O’Regan
- 30. Opposites Attract – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Dermot McLoughlin, Jockey: Conor Maxwell
- 31. Eurobot – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Neal Meade, Jockey: Barry Browne
Non Runners
Roaring Bull (unsuitable ground), Ten Ten (unsuitable ground), The Big Dog (unsuitable ground)