Jockey Sean Flanagan has jetted in to Aintree to ride lively Grand National longshot School Boy Hours.
The rider piloted a plane to Liverpool John Lennon Airport from County Wicklow this morning, just hours before the big race. Flanagan was accompanied by his weighing room colleague Ricky Doyle, who rides Freewheelin Dylan in the National.
School Boy Hours only gained a place in the line-up at the last minute yesterday. The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old was 42nd in the entry list, but made the final field after Phoenix Way (temperature) and Easysland (dirty scope) – also due to carry the famous green-and-gold silks – defected.
Flanagan, eagerly anticipating his Aintree outing, has a 100 per cent record on School Boy Hours, having steered him to victory in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas. He actually swapped mounts to be on board, as he was originally due to team up with the Gordon Elliott-trained Coko Beach.
"Obviously he’s owned by Mr McManus who has his own men so I’ve always been envious of the lads who have had the chance to ride him," Flanagan said.
"Eventually, when I did, everything seemed to fall into place for him. If he takes to jumping the bigger fences – which touch wood I think he will – he does go there with quite a chance. He’s got a lovely racing weight on his back (10st 5lbs) and everything will hopefully fall into place.
“The further he goes the better he is and a test of stamina is where he’s at his best."
Flanagan got his pilot’s license in 2020 and has put it to good use to aid his riding career. Never short of phone calls from fellow jockeys when there is a spare seat, he started flying as a hobby. It will be his fifth appearance in the iconic race, with his best placing to date coming when sixth on Road To Riches in 2018.
“I’ve been to a few airports now but Liverpool is definitely one of the bigger ones!" he said. "It’s a fantastic buzz and to be able to fly to the races like that is just great. I kind of started out just doing it as a bit of fun and to be able to utilise it in everyday work is a big help."
After School Boy Hours sneaked into the field for the world's most famous race, plenty of punters backed him with William Hill. The firm shortened his odds considerably, from 33-1 to 18-1.
Spokesman Tony Kenny said: “JP McManus has shuffled his Grand National pack, and that has left us extra cautious about the chances of School Boy Hours. Last year’s winner Minella Times, also in JP’s silks, remains the worst result in the book.”
