Longhouse Poet on track for National after landing Down Royal feature Longhouse Poet warmed up for another crack at the Randox Grand National when justifying favouritism in the featured Bluegrass Stamm 30 Chase at Down Royal this afternoon. The Martin Brassil-trained gelding, winner of the Thyestes Chase last year before finishing sixth behind Noble Yeats in the National, was sent off the 7/4 favourite here against six rivals in this 3m2f event. JJ Slevin’s mount was left in front after Wee Small Hours blundered three out but was joined by last year’s winner Roi Mage at the next. Roi Mage held a slight advantage at the last but Longhouse Poet asserted once asked for an effort on the run-in and, despite edging a bit right across Roi Mage, kept on well to beat that rival by a length and a quarter. Burrows Saint couldn’t find any extra on the run-in a further five lengths back in third. Brassil said, "He needed to do that. JJ had a bit of a mishap with him in Fairyhouse in the Bobbyjo so we wanted to get them to gel a bit more. It would be (important) when you are going around there (Aintree). "He jumped great and handles the ground and it was lovely to see. He was (value for the winning margin), you would never know how much you have left with him as he just only does enough. When something comes to him, he stretches them a little bit again. "He did (run a cracker for a long way in the Grand National). He probably over-raced himself, he was very fresh on the day. That's why I wanted to get a race closer to the National into him, so he wouldn't be too buzzed up. "Darragh (O'Keeffe) gave him a great ride (in the Grand National), he had a fantastic round of jumping and all roads lead back there now." Reflecting on a couple of near misses at the Cheltenham Festival with Fastorslow and An Epic Song, he added: "A little bit frustrating but it would have been frustrating if we were watching them trailing in with half the field behind him. They ran great races and there were no hard luck stories. They got great rides and finished the races out well." Quotes by Michael Graham
