Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins numerically dominate the Irish Grand National
Elliott trains 13 of the 30 runners in the Irish Grand National on Easter Monday at Fairyhouse, while title rival Mullins is responsible for a further four.
GORDON ELLIOTT and Willie Mullins are taking their fierce battle for the Irish jumps trainers title to the Boylesports Irish Grand National, with the pair responsible for 17 of the 30 runners declared.
The pair’s fascinating tussle to be Irish champion trainer could be heavily swayed by the events of the Easter Festival at Fairyhouse, with 270,000 euro on offer to the winner for the Easter Monday highlight.
Neither of the duo have yet won the valuable contest, although the odds are certainly stacked in their favour this year thanks to their numerically advantage.
Elliott runs an extraordinary 13 and whilst it’s hard to rule out many of his runners, Folsom Blue, who won the trial for this race, and Monbeg Notorious, the Thyestes hero, appear to be his main hopes.
He also runs the top weight Outlander, Dounikos, Lord Scoundrel, Tell Us More, Jetstream Jack, The Paparrazi Kid, General Principle, Bless The Wings, Sutton Manor, Squouateur and Woods Well.
Mullins’ big hope is Bellshill, who returned to the track in style by winning the Bobbyjo Chase. Although he is better off in the weights for the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree in almost two weeks time, Mullins runs him at Fairyhouse.
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2.00 Lingfield – Funnykid: ‘Unexposed French raider posted excellent second behind Watersmeet last year and this track gives him a chance of revenge’
2.30 Lingfield – Lucymai: ‘A better draw gives her a great chance for in-form trainer Dean Ivory’
2.45 Newcastle – Outside Inside: ‘Had some promising form in Ireland and could well be better than this grade’
3.05 Lingfield – Gifted Master: ‘This has probably been the plan for a while for this class sprinter’
3.20 Newcaslte – Lexington Law: ‘Unbeaten in two previous starts when wearing cheekpieces’
3.40 Lingfield – Never Back Down: ‘Some of his early-season form last year was good’
3.55 Newcastle – Nyaleti: ‘Came up short in Group 1 company but nearly won a Group 2 and the switch to all-weather racing shouldn’t be a problem
4.10 Lingfield – Second Thought: ‘He’s a class act on this surface, unbeaten in six on the all-weather’
4.40 Lingfield – Star Archer: ‘This race should pan out better than his odds-on defeat last time’
Pairofbrowneyes, who won the Leinster National on his first start for Mullins, is another major player, while Kemboy and Isleofhopeanddreams complete his quartet.
Noel Meade has two chances with Snow Falcon and Moulin A Vent, with the Pat Kelly-trained Mall Dini another leading contender having finished second in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham.