Inside Track: Oscar’s Brother might answer the National question

When did Palm Sunday and St Patrick’s Day fall on the same day? When did Good Friday fall on a Monday?

Seemingly, the answer to the first question is, about 40 years ago. So said a lady in a crowded waiting room, which we shared last Thursday.

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As for Good Friday falling on a Monday: that happened a long time ago. Good Friday was the name of a horse, and it fell in the Irish Grand National.

Something that never happened before is that the two Nationals were run on the same day. It’s not going to happen this year, either; but not for a long time have the two been as close together on the calendar than this year.

The Irish race was run yesterday at Fairyhouse on its traditional date, Easter Monday, and will be followed on next Saturday by the Aintree spectacular.

We like to think we have the best in this country, but even the most diehard follower of National Hunt racing on this side of the Irish Sea would have to concede that there’s nothing to compare with the race that’s been run at Aintree since 1837, when The Duke was the winner.

It has thrown up some memorable winners, like, the three that comprised the Vincent O’Brien-trained trio in the mid-1950s, Early Mist, Quare Times and Royal Tan; three-timer Red Rum; Corbiere, giving Jenny Pitman the honour of being first lady to train the winner; Aldiniti, ridden by Bob Champion, who beat cancer to make it back into the saddle; and, last year, Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Muyllins and ridden by his son, Patrick.

That’s in the past – what about next Saturday’s race? The field is dominated by Mullins-trained and JP McManus-owned runners.

So much so, that many believe it’s pointless looking beyond this duo for the winner. But which one? That’s a question that some punters have impossible to answer in all the big races.

Inside Track is going for a McManus runner, but not one that’s coming out of one of the bigger training centres. In fact, Oscar’s Brother has just one stablemate.

That’s right, Connor King, who trains out of a very small yard in Cashel, has just a couple to school every morning.

That said, he has done very well with this 8-year-old, who ran up a hat-trick with wins at Galway, Punchestown and Navan, before running a creditable 4th in a Novice ‘Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

In each of his outings, Oscar’s Brother was ridden by Daniel King, the trainer’s brother. The gelding was a fast finisher in the 3-mile 1 furlong race at Cheltenham, which suggests he may not be discommoded by the National’s extra mile.

The big race is not one for ‘filling your boots’ – racing-speak for having your maximum bet - but at 16/1, he could be worth having an each-way tinkle. If successful, he’ll add another special chapter to the National story.

To finish: It could be an omen. The Australian Derby was run last weekend and was won by Green Spaces, ridden by the first female jockey to win the big race. Her name? Rachel King.

The best of luck.