A local horse owner's dream of having a winner at the Grand National Festival at Aintree was dashed on Saturday after the race failed go ahead because there was an injured horse on the track.
Speaking to the Donegal News on Tuesday Fiona McConnell from Churchill who owns 'Chestnut Charlie' said they were very disappointed the race didn't go ahead. It was scheduled for immediately after the Grand National itself. Nonetheless she said they had a great experience in Aintree over the weekend.
Fiona, her husband, Danny and a group of supporters from Churchill and Manorcunningham had travelled to Aintree and their horse was second favourite. Hopes were high of success after previous victories at Limerick and Chepstow and a second placing at Chepstow.
However, the two mile race was cancelled at the last minute because the injured horse 'Graphic Approach' could not be moved from the course.
"We were all very disappointed but hopefully we'll get a shot at it again," Fiona said.
"The experience of being at Aintree was fantastic. We were chauffeured around and the boys got to walk the track which was fantastic. We have a lot of great memories and maybe we'll get a go again," she added.
The horse is trained by Lynsay Woods from Strabane who rents a premises in Sligo and Fiona said he was reasonably confident of success.
"Chestnut Charlie had first place in Limerick and Downpatrick and Chepstow and had been showing good form going over to Aintree. We bought the horse from a friend and is now five years old. He likes the soft ground and we're planning to run him at Punchestown next week," she added.
