John 'Shark' Hanlon eyes up another transatlantic raid with Hewick

Easter Monday and it's Irish Grand National Day.

It's always been that way. Well, it hasn't. In 1988, it was decided that the famous chase would be run on a Saturday, some two weeks after Easter. The experiment didn't work and the natural order was restored in '89.

On the day of the Easter Rising in 1916, it's often recounted that the British were slow to react because most of their army officers were at the Co Meath venue. When word came through that things were kicking off in Dublin city centre, the soldiers swiftly sought all modes of transport to get them to the capital. They ordered that the railways be shut down, so leaving many racegoers and horses stranded at the track.

A horse by the name of All Sorts won the 1916 National. After his exertions on the track, the animal had to be walked back to stables in Co Westmeath, a journey of over 60 miles.

Since then inconic names such as Prince Regent, Arkle, Flyingbolt, Brown Lad, Desert Orchid and Bobbyjoy have adorned the Fairyhouse roll of honour.

After injury forced 2022 winner Lord Lariat to miss out on a repeat bid, a new name will be spoken about just after 5pm today.

One trainer who won't be saddling a runner in the big race is John 'Shark' Hanlon. Yet he was present at a recent function luanching this year's Fairyhouse Festival.

Hanlon is a tall figure; his ginger locks stand out. A man whose towering presence adds to a happy-go-lucky disposition. His training base is in Co Carlow, near the border with Kilkenny, with Hanlon indentifying himself as somebody from the Marble County.

So how did he end up with the nickname 'Shark'? A question he's been asked a thousand times. In a cheerful response, he told RTÉ Sport: "It came when I playing hurling as a young fella, not that