Irish Grand National 2013

[Sprinter]

Alderwood left in Powers Gold Cup

[mayo]

Updated Entries

Ruby on Marasonnien?

Rich Revival (steamer8), Magnanimity (steamer12), Marasonnien (steamer12), Romanesco (steamer12), Sweeney Tunes (steamer12), Home Farm (steamer14), Carlingford Lough (16), Dedigout (16), Panther Claw (16), Goonyella (steamer20), Questions Answered (steamer20), White Star Line (20), You Must Know Me (20), Carlito Brigante (25), Competitive Edge (steamer25), Cootamundra (25), Junior (25), Murchu (25), Outlaw Pete (25), Quiscover Fontaine (25) , Rapidolyte De Ladalka (25), Sea Of Thunder (25), Storm Survivor (25), Action Master (steamer33), Another Palm (33), Away We Go (33), Blazing Beacon (33), Cross Appeal (33), Hellberemembered (33), Jadanli (33), Muirhead (33), Orpheus Valley (33), Our Victoria (33), Paddy Pub (33), Please Talk (33), Quietly Fancied (33), Start Me Up (33), Tillahow (33), Toner Doudairies (33), Whatuthink (33), Caduceus (40), Carloswayback (40), Carry Each Other (40), Jacksonslady (40), Knockgraffon King (40), Liberty Counsel (40), Prince Of Milan (40), Sumkindasuprstar (40), Victrix Gale (40), Whodoyouthink (40), Imperial Shabra (66)

Think these weights below all go up 1 lb. If Junior a non runner I believe they will go up so bottom weight is 10st so could go up another 6lbs?

(4:50) 64E Ladbrokes Irish Grand National S'chase (Grade A) €141,000.00 ( 3m 5f - 5yo+ )[MAX 30]

p17-4 1 Junior (GB)(156) (DPipe (in GB)) - . ........ 11,09
26-41 2 Dedigout(147) (AJMartin) - . .................... 11,00
123-2 3 You Must Know Me(143) (HdeBromhead) - . .... 10,10
p126- 4 Sea Of Thunder(141) (CByrnes) - . ......... 10,08
220-2 5 Magnanimity(140) (DTHughes) - . .......... 10,07
13-21 6 Sweeney Tunes (GB)(140) (PNolan) - . .. 10,07
144-p 7 Carlito Brigante(137) (GElliott) - . ........... 10,04
3-611 8 Competitive Edge(137) (CO'Dwyer) - . ... 10,04
5-533 9 Cootamundra(137) (JABerry) - . ............. 10,04
1-216 10 He'llberemembered(137) (PGFahey) - . . 10,04
5p-51 11 Home Farm(137) (ALTMoore) - . ............. 10,04
1221- 12 Jacksonslady(137) (JPDempsey) - . ....... 10,04
140-4 13 Muirhead(137) (NMeade) - . .................... 10,04
f6-85 14 Quiscover Fontaine (FR)(137) (WPMullins) - . ... 10,04
2-065 15 Whodoyouthink(137) (OMcKiernan) - . .. 10,04
-1-11 16 Rich Revival(136) (MissEDoyle) - . ......... 10,03
122-3 17 Marasonnien (FR)(135) (WPMullins) - . .. 10,02
4-001 18 Away We Go(134) (WPMullins) - . ........... 10,01
92-73 19 Romanesco (FR)(134) (GElliott) - . ......... 10,01
4pp0- 20 Cross Appeal(132) (NMeade) - . .............. 9,13
-p149 21 Jadanli(132) (PJGilligan) - . ...................... 9,13
356-7 22 Questions Answered(131) (EMcNamara) - . ...... 9,12
41/-1 23 Blazing Beacon(130) (FFMcGuinness) - ............ 9,11
p78-9 24 Start Me Up(130) (CFSwan) - . ................. 9,11
45-20 25 Toner D'Oudairies (FR)(130) (GElliott) - .. 9,11
p3-23 26 White Star Line(130) (DTHughes) - . ....... 9,11
357-4 27 Carlingford Lough(129) (JEKiely) - . ....... 9,10 < Noel O'Briens predicted cut off
-0650 28 Imperial Shabra(128) (POBrady) - . ......... 9,09
13p-0 29 Liberty Counsel(128) (MrsDALove) - . ..... 9,09
-1511 30 Rapidolyte De Ladalka (FR)(128) (SShirley-Beavan (in GB)) - ... 9,09

30p-9 31 Carloswayback(127) (PNolan) - . ............. 9,08
-1-33 32 Goonyella(127) (JTRDreaper) - . .............. 9,08
7p-62 33 Orpheus Valley(127) (TGibney) - . ........... 9,08
115p- 34 Our Victoria(127) (CBowe) - .................... 9,08
4-058 35 Paddy Pub(127) (KPurcell) - . ................... 9,08
41-49 36 Quietly Fancied(127) (OMcKiernan) - . .... 9,08
4-546 37 Tillahow(127) (MFMorris) - . ..................... 9,08
-3576 38 Whatuthink(127) (OMcKiernan) - . ........... 9,08

160-0 39 Action Master (GB)(126) (DTHughes) - ....... 9,07

1-621 40 Storm Survivor(125) (JO'Neill (in GB)) - ...... 9,06
26p-0 41 Caduceus(124) (PHughes) - . ................... 9,05
2-131 42 Panther Claw(123) (PNolan) - . ................ 9,04
-p524 43 Sumkindasuprstar(123) (JOClifford) - . ... 9,04
6-p8- 44 Another Palm(122) (NMeade) - . .............. 9,03
-41ff 45 Carry Each Other(119) (MFMorris) - . ...... 9,00
3u22p 46 Murchu(119) (JJHanlon) - . ....................... 9,00
8-84p 47 Please Talk(119) (NMeade) - . ................. 9,00
3-775 48 Prince Of Milan(119) (ASlattery) - . .......... 9,00
1-633 49 Outlaw Pete(118) (JHalley) - . .................. 8,13
402-9 50 Victrix Gale(118) (AJMartin) - . ................. 8,13
4-43p 51 Knockgraffon King(113) (NMeade) - . ..... 8,08

[mayo]

The two that appeal to me at the minute are Home Farm who has a similar profile to 2011 winner Organisedconfusion and Marasonnien who looks an out and out stayer. They both should get a run with a nice weight and after all the rain around they will have their preferred ground

Both still in there

White Star Line , Carlingford Lough and Questions Answered all guaranteed a run too.

[Old Vic]

Connections of Alfie Sherrin say he has been taken out of Monday’s Irish Grand National because he “hasn’t recovered from Cheltenham”.

[Statto]

Key Irish Grand National Betting Trends

10/10 – Carried 10-12 or LESS
9/10 – Returned a double-figure price
9/10 – Had raced within the last 8 weeks
9/10 – Carried 10-8 or LESS
9/10 – Came from outside the top 3 in the betting
9/10 – Won over at least 3m previously
9/10 – Winning distance – 5 lengths or less
8/10 – Aged 9 or younger
8/10 – Irish bred
8/10 – Carried 10-5 or LESS
7/10 – Won by an Irish-based trainer
7/10 – Unplaced favourites
7/10 – Had raced at Fairyhouse previously
7/10 – Finished fourth or better last time out
7/10 – Rated between 130-136
6/10 - Came from outside the top 8 in the betting
5/10 – Had raced within the last 4 weeks
3/10 – Ran at Navan last time out
3/10 – Won by an English-based trainer
2/10 – Won last time out
0/10 – Winning favourites
The average winning SP in the last 10 years is 22/1
The last horse to win with more than 11st was Commanche Court (2000)

[mayo]

Gary O'Brien

The five-day entries have just come through for this year's Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday, and following a host of high-profile withdrawals the one who really leaps off the page as being overpriced in the revised market is progressive hunter chaser GOONYELLA. Conditions are sure to be very testing for the traditional Easter highlight and that can only play to the strengths of Jim Dreaper's Presenting gelding, who has looked a thorough stayer in his brief career to date. A dual scorer in the point-to-point field, he ploughed relentlessly through possibly the most demanding ground of the entire season when taking a maiden hunter chase at Limerick's Christmas fixture (only three of the sixteen who set out completed the course but he always travelled like the most likely winner) before going down narrowly to Equus Maximus and unlucky Cheltenham casualty Oscar Delta on his first start in open company at Thurles. On his most recent start he claimed an excellent third behind dual Foxhunters hero Salsify and Tammys Hill in what is widely acknowledged as the strongest race of its type here for many years at Leopardstown, and on that basis an initial mark of 127 looks potentially very attractive. He is currently hovering around the cut-off point for a place in the 30-strong final line-up but should he fail to make it into the field on Friday stakes will be returned provided he is declared, while if he does secure a berth I would expect him to go off no bigger than 12/1. The one major concern in relation to his chance is inexperience, given that he is a six year-old who has run only a handful of times under rules, but he has generally appeared a solid jumper in the limited evidence available and his usual prominent style of racing will hopefully be a help in avoiding trouble in running over a trip that promises to bring out the best in him.

[Old Vic]

mick fitzgerald @mickfitzg 7m

Just spoke to David pipe & he tells me Junior almost certain to run at Fairyhouse in Irish national

weights wont go up...

[Lester]

Alex Hammond

Conditions are ideal for Rich Revival and his season has been geared towards this race. He won the Leinster National over 3 miles last time out and his jockey that day didn't think he would have any problem staying this trip. Heavy ground is ideal, he is bred to suit it and is proven on it. He is lightly raced and deserves his position at the top of the market.

Marasonnien hails from the stable that dominated at Cheltenham, he's trained by Irish Champion Willie Mullins. Gigginstown House Stud have multiple entries with Gordon Elliott's Romanesco the shortest in the market for the owner followed by Sweeney Tunes for Paul Nolan. Home Farm is another leading contender for Arthur Moore, he's an interesting novice who looks on the up but I wouldn't be certain this son of Presenting wants a real slog on heavy ground.

Magnanimity is another Gigginstown horse, trained this time by Dessie Hughes. He hasn't won since January 2011 but has been mixing it in very good company and running with credit. Rich Revival has a favourite's chance and he looks capable of running a big race for Liz Doyle.

[Old Vic]

Horses with ballot numbers of eight or less will get into the Irish Grand National. That includes well-fancied Goonyella.

Think it is this lot
Imperial Shabra(128) (POBrady) - . ......... 9,09
30p-9 31 Carloswayback(127) (PNolan) - . ............. 9,08
-1-33 32 Goonyella(127) (JTRDreaper) - . .............. 9,08
7p-62 33 Orpheus Valley(127) (TGibney) - . ........... 9,08
115p- 34 Our Victoria(127) (CBowe) - .................... 9,08
4-058 35 Paddy Pub(127) (KPurcell) - . ................... 9,08
41-49 36 Quietly Fancied(127) (OMcKiernan) - . .... 9,08
-3576 38 Whatuthink(127) (OMcKiernan) - . ........... 9,08


This one might miss out ..
4-546 37 Tillahow(127) (MFMorris) - . ..................... 9,08

Panther Claw gets in with the penalty.

[Old Vic]

No Horse Owner Trainer Rider Wgt
1 Junior (GB)(156) Middleham Park Racing LI (DPipe (in GB)) Conor O'Farrell(B) 11,10
2 You Must Know Me(143) Alan & Ann Potts Partnership (Hde Bromhead) AELynch 10,11
3 Magnanimity(140) Gigginstown House Stud (DTHughes) ** Bryan Cooper(B) 10,08
4 Sweeney Tunes (GB)(140) Gigginstown House Stud (PNolan) Davy Russell 10,08
5 Competitive Edge(137) John P. McManus (CO'Dwyer) . 10,05
6 Cootamundra(137) Turbine Syndicate (JABerry) Robbie Moran 10,05
7 He'llberemembered(137) Mrs Mary Lett (PGFahey) Shane Butler(7) 10,05
8 Home Farm(137) C. Jones (ALTMoore) DJCasey 10,05
9 Jacksonslady(137) J.P.Dempsey (JPDempsey) Barry Geraghty 10,05
10 Muirhead(137) Mrs P Sloan (NMeade) Davy Condon 10,05
11 Whodoyouthink(137) Redgap Partnership (OMcKiernan) Michael Darcy(V) 10,05
12 Rich Revival(136) Miss Mary C.M. Murphy (MissEDoyle) Brian O'Connell 10,04
13 Marasonnien (FR)(135) Mrs S Ricci (WPMullins) RWalsh(T) 10,03
14 Away We Go(134) O'Gorman Partnership (WPMullins) Paul Townend(T) 10,02
15 Romanesco (FR)(134) Gigginstown House Stud (GElliott) .(T) 10,02
16 Cross Appeal(132) John Corr (NMeade) PCarberry(C) 10,00
17 Jadanli(132) E.Gilligan (PJGilligan) .(C) 10,00
18 Questions Answered(131) Mrs. Brenda Graham (EMcNamara) Aidan Coleman 9,13
19 Blazing Beacon(130) F.F.McGuinness (FFMcGuinness) Mark Enright(3) 9,12
20 Panther Claw(130) Gigginstown House Stud (PNolan) ** Bryan Cooper 9,12
21 Start Me Up(130) Gigginstown House Stud (CFSwan) APHeskin(C) 9,12
22 Carlingford Lough(129) John P. McManus (JEKiely) Niall P. Madden 9,11
23 Imperial Shabra(128) Miss Rita Shah (POBrady) . 9,10
24 Liberty Counsel(128) Neale/Murtagh Partnership (MrsDALove) Ben Dalton(5) 9,10
25 Rapidolyte De Ladalka (FR)(128) Mrs P.M.Shirley-Beavan (SShirley-Beavan (in GB)) BarryKeniry(C) 9,10
26 Carloswayback(127) Stone Pickers Syndicate (PNolan) Alan Crowe(T) 9,10
27 Goonyella(127) Ann & Alan Potts Partnership (JTRDreaper) MrJEFlynn(7) 9,10
28 Our Victoria(127) R. Furlong (CBowe) Phillip Enright 9,10
29 Paddy Pub(127) Big Five Syndicate (KPurcell) Patrick Mangan 9,10
30 Quietly Fancied(127) Redgap Partnership (OMcKiernan) Robbie Colgan(C) 9,10

[pumpkin]

Aidan Coleman hopes Questions Answered will get home in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National.

The UK-based Corkman makes the trip to Fairyhouse on Monday to ride Questions Answered for Eric McNamara, and is hopeful.

"He'll love this big field and can mix it in the best handicaps. I was fifth on him in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November and then he backed that up with a sixth in the Irish version at Leopardstown the following month.

"He hasn't run this far before and the distance is a slight question mark, so we'll creep away and I think we're capable of filling the frame."

[Statto]

No horse has achieved glory at Fairyhouse carrying more than 11st since Commanche Court back in 2000.

In the last 32 editions, just five have done so, with two of those, Desert Orchid in 1990 and Flashing Steel in 1995, burdened with a mammoth 12st.

However, the salient point about those five triumphs is that the official going on each occasion was predominantly good.

In the last dozen renewals, for example, nine winners have had between 10st and 10st 8lb.

[Lester]

Barrys Blog

As you probably know, one of the big races that has eluded me at home is the Ladbrokes Irish Grand*National (4.50) in fact I’ve never really got close in the race – but* I’m fancying my chances this time around on JACKSONSLADY.

This will be the first time she’s tried an extreme distance but I’ve ridden her seven times and won three of them and been second twice and third once so she knows how to get to the winners enclosure.

She switches off nicely and relaxes easily so I think there’s a very good chance she’ll get the trip and a bigger concern would be how testing the ground is.

The nicer the ground, the better it suits her but I’m sure Philip Dempsey has her nicely tuned up for this.

Her last run over fences was at Leopardstown on Boxing Day when she won well over two miles and he gave her a nice break then let her have a spin round on the flat at Dundalk in the middle of March.

That is certain to have put a nice edge on her for this and if the ground is reasonable then I see us as serious contenders.

But the one we’re all going to have to beat is Competitive Edge who’s won his last two on heavy and has the same sort of profile as Jacksons Lady in that he’s never gone beyond two and a half miles but like her, he’s on the upgrade.

[mayo]

Irish Racing - Horse by Horse

Junior – marvellous servant to connections with Royal Ascot and Cheltenham wins under his belt. He's hardly coming here in the best of form though and it would be a mammoth effort from him to score under this weight.

You Must Know Me – a dour stayer and though an opening mark of 143 probably gives him plenty to do, a big performance still seems likely.

Magnanimity – not the horse he was before he suffered a serious injury in the RSA Chase in 2011. Running well lately but might struggle like he did in the Hennessy at Newbury in December. Pulled up here last year.

Sweeney Tunes – just failed in the Leopardstown Chase and as Davy Russell's pick of the Gigginstown five, he has to be a big player granted a bit of luck.

Competitive Edge – undoubtedly progressive but only six and goes much further than he's ever gone before. Perhaps too much too soon for him.

Cootamundra – smooth-traveller but you'd imagine he'd need plenty of luck given the usual waiting tactics that are employed. Still, with some layers going each-way the first five places he's one to be considered.

He'llberemembered – a likeable horse no doubt and his rider has been impressing lately, racking up three winners in recent times. I'd be worried about the chestnut getting home though and I'd overlook him for that reason.

Home Farm – impressed so much here last time that'd you be prepared to overlook his tender age and lack of experience. He has good men in his corner too with Arthur Moore and David Casey.

Jacksonslady – you get the impression that they've been building towards this target for a while with this mare. Barry Geraghty's presence in the plate catches the eye and she can go well without necessarily appealing as a potential winner.

Muirhead – Munster National winner in 2011 but you'd imagine there are better handicapped runners in the line-up. Said to want good ground.

Whodoyouthink – didn't get home here last year when eventually finishing seventh of the nine to get around. Difficult to envisage him faring much better now.

Rich Revival – fully deserves to be a leading fancy as he bids for four on the bounce now. The handicapper continues to make things harder for him and he is short enough in the betting too.

Marasonnien – Home Farm beat him well here last time. However a first-time tongue-strap could help and representing Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh he has to have every chance.

Away We Go – hasn't run in a chase since the Troytown of 2011. You'd have thought that there are more attractively weighted contenders in the field.

Romanesco – you don't see too many horses carrying the Potts colours and then the Gigginstown silks during their racing life. This fellow has raced for those two owners and more. Placings in the Paddy Power and the Kim Muir give rise to each-way hopes for him again here.

Cross Appeal – said to want good ground to be seen at his best and he'd be a surprise winner on what he's been showing lately. Pulled up here in 2012.

Jadanli – course winning Grade 1 winner in his time. Capable of good form still as an eleven-year-old as when winning the Thyestes three runs back but this is tougher.

Questions Answered – seems to have a pretty good profile for this race but his form suggests he could come up a little bit short again. The extra distance to be travelled here though could play to his strengths and he's respected.

Blazing Beacon – put up a pleasing performance to win a veterans' chase at Wexford last time but this is so much tougher and needs to step-up on anything he's ever achieved before.

Panther Claw – came through a bit of a 'grueller' to win at Navan just a fortnight back and that tempers enthusiasm a bit for his chance.

Start Me Up – pulled-up here last year but third in the Kerry National and fourth in the Limerick equivalent since. His form lately wouldn't have you picking him out as a likely winner.

Carlingford Lough – this fellow has generated plenty of chat this term. Finished fourth in the Leopardstown Chase but whether he quite wants three miles five is another matter.

Imperial Shabra – ridden by last year's hero of the hour in Andrew Thornton. Hasn't won over any further than two miles three. Hard to fancy.

Rapidolyte De Ladalka – proven over three and a quarter miles and shares his sire with Sprinter Sacre and Rubi Light. Should enjoy this extreme distance more than most but this is a different level of competition than he's been facing at Catterick.

Liberty Counsel – down the field in the Kim Muir last time. A similar scenario is likely here as she's done her winning on better ground.

Carloswayback – a pound out of the handicap. Lightly-raced and a reasonable type but would be a surprise winner on what he's been showing on most recent starts.

Goonyella – he's a good hunter chase and there should be plenty of enjoyable days ahead for his connections. This looks too tough for him at this stage.

Our Victoria – has likely been 'freshened-up' after pulling-up here over the course and distance in early December. Finished fourth as a 40/1 chance in the '4-miler' at Cheltenham in 2012 and it'd be a surprise were she to get that close again.

Paddy Pub – finished fourth here twelve months ago but doesn't come into this year's renewal in as good a form and likely that he'll find a fair few of his opponents too strong.

Quietly Fancied – didn't quite see it out in the Pat Taaffe when third behind Caduceus at the Punchestown Festival. Could go well for a long way but likely to be found wanting in the latter stages.

Verdict 1 – Home Farm, 2 – Marasonnien, 3 – Sweeney Tunes, 4 – You Must Know Me, 5 – Jacksonslady. (EM)

[Lester]

GOING CONCERN FOR MEADE DUO 31 Mar 2013

Noel Meade admits his Ladbrokes Irish Grand National contenders Muirhead and Cross Appeal would both prefer better ground at Fairyhouse.

Muirhead was a Grade One winner over the smaller obstacles but hasn't managed to hit the same heights over fences, although he did claim the 2011 Munster National and finished fourth behind Mount Benbulben at Thurles most recently.

"Muirhead ran OK last time and although it's an extreme trip, I don't think the distance will be a problem. The biggest worry for him is the ground. If it's drying out, on fresh ground on Monday it would be OK, but he does need it to dry up," said Meade.

"Cross Appeal is in good form too but the ground is the thing with him, too. He twinged his back and hasn't been 100% himself, but I'm a lot happier with him. He just could do with it drying out."