Repeat showing for Grand National documentary

Photo above - Michael and Eddie O'Leary.

With the National Hunt racing season now cancelled, and the Irish Grand National postponed until the autumn, fans missing out on the action can revel in nostalgia as they get a second chance to catch an equine documentary with a strong local link on national television this week.

First shown in Ireland in 2017, ‘The Irish Grand National’ - Chasing a Dream’, will air worldwide on TG4 and on the TG4 player on Easter Saturday, April 11, at 7.15pm.

It was made by Bankos Tales Productions Limited, the production company of Rosemount native AnnaMay Mullins, a prolific documentary maker on all things horsey in recent years.

‘The Irish Grand National - Chasing a Dream’ chronicles the long and illustrious past of the 150-year-old race against the backdrop of historic events in the country.

The feature-length documentary features generations of racing clans such as the Carberry, Dreaper, Moore, Mullins, Taaffe, and Walsh families.

Others who relay their personal accounts include Ann Ferris, David Elsworth, Jenny Pitman, Mouse Morris, Richard Dunwoody and the late Noel O’Brien, who explains the handicap system.

The show features many outstanding racehorses, the likes of Arkle, Brown Lad and Desert Orchid, who have taken their place in sports folklore.

But part of the allure of the race is, that you don’t have to be a hot favourite to win it, and horses including 50-1 shot, Liberty Counsel in 2013, prove this.

Known as the people’s race, its strong emotional stories will capture the hearts of all viewers, horseracing fans and casual punters alike.

It also explores the world’s first recorded steeplechase in 1752, when two gentlemen challenged each other to a race, between the church steeples of Buttevant and Doneraile in Cork, hence the origins of the word steeplechasing.

‘The Irish Grand National’ - Chasing a Dream’ was produced with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.