Those aboard Ryanair flight FR447 from Liverpool to Dublin had something to temper any anger they had about it being delayed for an hour and 20 minutes on Saturday night: Michael O'Leary was aboard deemed that there would be a free bar - limit two drinks - for the passengers.
O'Leary was in an especially good mood as his horse, Tiger Roll, had earlier in the evening become the first runner to win consecutive Grand Nationals side Red Rum in 1974.
"There is a vicious and unfounded rumour circulating that we delayed this flight deliberately so that I could get back here from Aintree - this is entirely untrue," said O'Leary.
The flight this evening was delayed by a bunch of Germans this morning who have been screwing around the ATC slots all day. It had nothing whatsoever to do with me.
As is traditional on evenings when we win the Grand National and in Cheltenham, we are having a free bar aboard this flight. I got some criticism last year by limiting it to one drink per person so that the crew could get to the end of the aircraft; well, now you can have two drinks per person.
If anyone orders a ham and cheese panini or a sandwich, I am offloading you personally off this flight. You can buy your food in Dublin, on board this flight we're drinking.
He also congratulated Tiger Roll's trainer, Gordon Elliot, and jockey, Davy Russell.
Same result different year. free booze for MOL!! #TigerRoll pic.twitter.com/QTh0eKg02U
— Barry Orr (@BetfairBarry) April 6, 2019
