Grand National 2022: Longhouse Poet Profile

The Martin Brassil trained Longhouse Poet has danced some of the biggest dances already in his career, but is arguably only now heading into his peak years. Stamina looks to be his forte and so naturally the Grand National has been a long term plan...

Longhouse Poet

Age: 8

Trainer: Martin Brassil

Chase Runs: 6

Chase Wins: 2

Having only six runs over fences before coming into the sternest test of jumping a racehorse can face may seem a bold strategy but that is exactly the route Longhouse Poet is set to take in the 2022 renewal. Over hurdles he was dismissed a couple of times by the then high class Envoi Allen and always looked desperate for a trip, with his best performance probably a third placed finish at the 2020 Dublin Racing Festival behind the ill-fated Latest Exhibition. His owners are always desperate for a runner in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle as they sponsor the contest and this was probably the reason he took his chance against Envoi Allen rather than running in the Albert Bartlett which, in hindsight, would've been a more suitable option.

Upon embarking on his novice chase career, Longhouse Poet was beaten into sixth when 11/4 behind Latest Exhibition in a beginners chase in what was a disappointing start to life over the bigger obstacles. He was more impressive when a five length second behind Janidil on his next start, with his jumping notably improved but a few weeks later took another step back when never involved in a race he eventually finished a forty length third at 3/1 on heavy ground. The ground could've been an excuse that day, were it not for the fact he came out less than a month later and triumphed over Run Wild Fred on heavy ground at Punchestown!

He was then not seen again for over a year, but reappeared in December 2021 behind Spyglass Hill in a handicap chase at Limerick. Finally everything seemed to come together in his next outing over 3m1f on soft when he jumped well and saw off Franco De Port to win at Gowran Park, and post race the Grand National was confirmed as his target. Brassil attempted to mimic the path taken by Tiger Roll in dropping his charge back over hurdles for the Grade Two Boyne Hurdle before a tilt at Aintree glory, but despite being sent off 5/2 favourite he never looked comfortable and was beaten into 7th behind TheDevilsCoachMan. 

Brassil will be hoping Longhouse Poet is on a going day at Aintree as he clearly has an inconsistent profile. On his best form he is a high class runner and who knows, if Merseyside sparks him to life he could outrun the top priced 25/1 about him at the time of writing.