Alan McIlroy is the man behind the scenes who looks after Champion Hurdle hope Go Native, and reveals how the £1 million bonus will change his life if his pride and joy is successful in the Cheltenham feature.
Iain Turner, PR and Sponsorship manager for WBX, found out all about Alan and his dreams in a special question and answer session at the Tu Va stables of Noel Meade:
So how is Go Native?
The horse is in grand form. He couldn’t be any better at home and I’m absolutely delighted with him.
So what do you think of Go Native’s chances of winning the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown? Solwhit is the current favourite.He was impressive in the Irish Champion but our Donnas Palm was second that day and Go Native is far superior to him in my opinion. The best of the English challenge could come from Medermit.I was really impressed with him at Haydock.I haven’t seen Zaynar recently so I’m looking forward to watching his next run, whenever that may be.
Go Native’s form couldn’t be working out any better and I wouldn’t swap him for anything else in the race. Everything he has beaten this season has come out and won.
Both Go Native and Harchibald, who I also used to look after, are similar laid back horses and the same sort of ride. In fact, the only real difference between them is that Harchibald tended to mess around more than Go Native.
You must be excited at the prospect of winning the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown?
The £1 million bonus offered and the potential £100,000 share which I could receive is beyond my wildest dreams.I still cannot quite believe it.It would change my life and the lives of my family forever if Go Native won.
What will you do with the money if you win?
My wife Deirdre has spent it three times over already! On a serious note, it would mean financial security for quite some time and I cannot state what a massive sum this would be for me. It would change my life.
As a treat, being a huge Manchester United fan, a season ticket at Old Trafford for myself and son, Jack will be an essential purchase!
Do you have any superstitions?
I am not usually a superstitious man but with this much money on offer I’m up for anything! Kitty Carr, one of the Docado syndicate who owns Go Native, will be wearing the same clothes as when watching the horse win at Kempton and I will be doing the same.
I am not sleeping outside the horsebox just yet however.
Do You Bet? I backed Go Native to win at Kempton on Boxing Day along with the rest of the lads in my local football team.
I am joint manager of Electro Celtic and play left back. However, I am kicking myself for not backing Go Native to win the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown with sponsors. It has been matched at a high of nearly 50/1. I always knew Go Native was a top class horse but I didn’t want to jinx it!
