Jockey with Offaly connection set to take on Grand National at Aintree

A jockey with an Offaly connection is set to take on Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Luke Dempsey will be on board Darasso when the famous race goes to post at 5.15pm on Saturday.

Luke is from Derrinturn in Kildare, just across the border, but he went to school in St Mary's in Edenderry.

His grew up with horse racing as his father Phillip is a trainer.

Darasso is trained by Joseph O'Brien and is an outsider in the Grand National as it is currently listed at odds of 80/1 and has been going out in the betting.

Luke is pictured above with Darasso on their way to winning the Rathbarry and Glenview Studs Hurdle during day three of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival at Fairyhouse Racecourse in 2022.