Grand National countdown: Total Recall on course to be box-office smash

Lar Byrne has already enjoyed more than his fair share of success as a racehorse owner and has genuine hopes of tasting Randox Health Grand National success with Total Recall.

The Tullow native saw his colours carried to many a big-race win thanks to the hugely popular Hardy Eustace.

Trained by the late Dessie Hughes, the tough-as-teak gelding claimed 14 career victories, including successive renewals of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2004 and 2005.

These days Byrne runs his horses in the name of the Slaneyville Syndicate, which he set up in partnership with his eight siblings.

He said: "In 2001 I was a bit young and foolish, I had a few bob and I decided I'd go and squander it!

"I paid 21,000 Irish guineas for Hardy Eustace and the following year he won nearly 40,000 in the Land Rover Bumper, so it was a huge success from the start.

Total Recall seeks to give Byrne a dream Grand National triumph (PA)

"All my family got a great kick out of following him and all backed him on various occasions, so we made a nice few quid out of it.

"I'm the youngster of the crew and we all said we'd put the money together and start off the Slaneyville Syndicate, which is named after the original Byrne family home in Tullow. That's how it all started."

Aintree has not been a happy hunting ground for Byrne and his family in recent years.

Hardy Eustace never managed to find his very best form on Merseyside, while dual Grade One-winning chaser Schindlers Hunt was fatally injured in the 2010 Melling Chase.

Byrne had an interest in Rare Bob, who was a creditable fifth in the 2013 Grand National, but even that result left connections wondering what might have been.

"On the morning of the National five years ago Dessie rang me and said Rare Bob had a dropped foot, which was a big blow," Byrne recalled.

"He had to have his foot in a bucket of ice and even though he ended up running very well, you do wonder what would have happened if he hadn't had that problem.

"It was very unfortunate what happened to Schindlers Hunt, who was a very good horse, and Hardy never managed to win in Aintree either.

"I've certainly nothing against Aintree and they always look after us very well. Hopefully Total Recall can put the hoodoo to rest this year."

![(full)Watch Replay [

] Total Recall snatches victory in the Ladbrokes Gold Trophy, formerly the Hennessy, at Newbury

Total Recall was bought privately by Hughes after winning a Rathmorrissey point-to-point a little over four years ago.

Byrne claims it was not long before Aintree dreams were sparked.

"Dessie bought the horse after he won his point-to-point as a five-year-old. He's a son of Westerner and was a relatively inexpensive horse really," Byrne continued.

"When he bought him, Dessie felt he had a Grand National-type profile and after three or four runs I said to the rest of the family he'll be in the Aintree Grand National in 2018.

"I think they all thought I'd been on the happy pills, but it looks like it's going to happen."

Following the death of Hughes and the retirement of his daughter Sandra last spring, Byrne made the decision to send his horses to Willie Mullins.

Total Recall made a flying start for the champion trainer when dominating his rivals in the Munster National at Limerick and followed up in the Ladbrokes Trophy - the former Hennessy Gold Cup - at Newbury, 15 years on from the disqualification of the Mullins-trained Be My Royal.

He went on to complete a hat-trick for the season in a valuable handicap hurdle at the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

"He ran in the Munster National off 129, which was a very low mark and basically cantered in," said Byrne.

"It was a huge step up to go to Newbury, but in fairness to Willie, he felt he was going there with a big chance and obviously he had a score to settle over there himself.

"He did settle it and we set our sights on the Grand National then."

What was not originally part of the plan was a bid for Cheltenham Gold Cup glory in March.

Total Recall lined up in the blue riband as a 14-1 shot and Byrne feels he would have made his presence felt but for falling three fences from home.

He said: "What happened at Cheltenham was unfortunate, but I suppose the positive is it was far enough out that he didn't have a hard race and, as a result, we're going to Aintree with a fresh horse.

"He was running a great race, in my opinion. He still had something to give and the jockey felt he would have been involved in the finish. It didn't work out on the day, but roll on Aintree."

Whatever the result, there are likely to be a few tears in Liverpool with Byrne's sister, Catherine, having died in January.

"It's going to be very emotional, as it was in Cheltenham," said Byrne. "Catherine always enjoyed seeing the horses run and it's been difficult for the whole family.

"We're all going over to Aintree, along with other halves and kids. I've also been told my nephew is having his stag party in Liverpool that weekend so we'll be trying to give him a wide berth!

"I just thank God the horse doesn't know he's one of the favourites. We said a while ago we'd try to ignore all the media attention as you can get very uptight and excited about it all.

"We're all looking forward to April 14 and we'll see what happens. Whatever the result we'll enjoy the day."