Grand National Day – Identity Thief won the Ryanair Stayers’ Hurdle for Sean Flanagan and Henry de Bromhead at Aintree
Henry de Bromhead could have found a new identity for Identity Thief as a staying hurdler after he took the step up to three miles in his stride to win the Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle on Grand National Day at Aintree.
HENRY DE BROMHEAD'S Identity Thief (14-1) thrived for the step up to three miles to win the Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle on Grand National Day at Aintree.
Fourth in the Champion Hurdle on his last start but in truth a horse just below the top-tier in that division, Identity Thief was switched to three miles for the first time in his career here and it appears to have unlocked a bit more ability from the eight-year-old.
Sean Flanagan had Identity Thief held up off the pace and travelled powerfully into the race, making a strong challenge between the last two flights and then sprinting clear up the run-in to win by five lengths from Wholestone (7-2).
Favourite Sam Spinner (6-5) put in an awkward round of jumping and could only finish third.
De Bromhead said: "I'm delighted. You dream, but I wasn't expecting that.
"You have to stay, but we just didn't know if he would or not. It was Sean's plan as he said he would love to go three miles. We said we would leave it to him how he wanted to ride him and fair play to Sean.
LATEST IN HORSE RACING
"We came here for the two-and-a-half (Aintree Hurdle) last year and we rode him positively and he was disappointing on the day.
"The way he ran in the Champion Hurdle, he stopped at halfway and ran on really well again at the end. We hoped the big step up would suit and it's fantastic.
"We will enjoy today, but we've always felt he is a good horse as he won the Fighting Fifth.
How to claim your FREE £10 horse racing bet
1
2 Bet £5 or more on horse racing
3 Sun Bets will stick a £10 bet in your account
"He lost his form over fences but it is great to have him back and we will enjoy today. We've got him in the Stayers' Hurdle at Punchestown but we will see about that."
Ryanair and Gigginstown supremo Michael O'Leary was thrilled to win another race he sponsors, having finally broke his duck in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month with De Bromhead's Balko Des Flos.
He said: "It took me 15 years to win the first Ryanair then I get two in the space of a month! They all come along together like buses. It's great."