It looked like The Big Dog had a bright future as a staying chaser.
Sad news coming from the world of steeplechase racing today.
The Big Dog, the Offaly owned 9 year old has died of colic.
The Mahler gelding enjoyed a fruitful career over jumps and had seen the best of his form come over the last season.
Owned by Lusmagh brothers Colin and Damien Kelly, he won the Munster National, a Troytown Chase, before placing third in Welsh National and going on to finish an impressive fifth in his first Aintree Grand National.
Maher Milking All She Can From Farming And Starring In Offaly Engine Room
NHL: Offaly Face Limerick In Final League Game
Portlaoise Panthers Looking To Continue Good Form In Division One
Shane Lowry In Action In Florida This Week
NHL: Improving Each Week The Goal For Laois
Grainne Walsh Progresses At Strandja Memorial Tournament
Crunch Weekend For Midlands Sides In National Camogie League
James Gormley Named On Irish Squad For FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers
Portlaoise Panthers Suffer Tough Defeat In Super League
CCFL: St Peter's Extend Their Advantage At Top Of Premier Division
NFL: Relegation Firmly On The Cards For Offaly
Laois "Devastated" By Defeat Despite Delivering "Manliness" - Justin McNulty
Westmeath Ladies Bag First Win Of League Season
Big Camogie Wins for Westmeath and Laois Over The Weekend
Fitzgerald "Relieved" After Squeaking Past Kerry
NHL: Galway Prove Too Strong For Offaly
Former Laois And Offaly GAA Manager Honoured By An Garda Síochána
Athlone Town Make It Two Wins From Two In First Division
Lee Fitzpatrick Scores Try For Ireland U20s In England
NFL: Westmeath Move Closer To Promotion