Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse

at the time of writing it is still not clear if top-weight Notre Pere (Jim Dreaper/ Andrew Lynch) will be allowed to take his chance in today´s Irish Grand National over 3 miles 5 furlongs at 16.55 CET at Fairyhouse. Connections have made it clear that he will only run if the ground is suitable, i.e. soft enough (which despite watering last night seems unlikely). Second top weight Wichita Lineman (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) is also not a certain runner in these conditions, so that the shape of the race could change significantly, as there will be a big rise in the weights for the other 28 runners should these two be pulled out, a very unsatisfactory situation. This is in any case a very tricky race, with several top trainers having more than one runner. Our short list includes Newbay Prop (Tony Martin/ Robbie Colgan), Arbor Supreme (Willie Mullins/ Niall Madden) and Casey Jones (Noel Madden/ Paul Carberry). The latter´s sister Nina rides Garde Champetre for Enda Bolger and th is one too would be very dangerous if he can transfer his good cross-country form to normal fences. The Group Three Ladbroke Hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 16.10 is also a top race. German-bred Aitmatov (Meade/ Carberry) goes well on this ground and has a chance, but at the weights faces a stiff task against Powerstation (Eamonn O´Connell/ Andrew McNamara), while the much-improved Ninetieth Minute (Tom Taaffe/ Paddy Flood) is also not out of it.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Serpentaria - Teach Nua - Baily View
2. Race: Big Zeb - Psycho - Dancing Tornado
3. Race: Powerstation - River Liane - Ninetieth Minute
4. Race: Wichita Lineman - Pomme Tiepy - Emma Jane
5. Race: Arabella Boy - Tofino Bay - Pay The Bounty
6. Race: Taipan`S Way - Rock Street - Fantoche
7. Race: Lochan Lacha - Stewarts House - L`Acajou
8. Race: Rudi Trucker - Wedger Pardy - Freneys Well