Organisedconfusion - set to carry 11st 06lbs© Photo Healy Racing
The weights have been announced for the €250,000 Ladbrokes Irish Grand National set to take place on Monday 9th April at Fairyhouse. JP McManus’s Groody Hill on 10st 9lb is installed as favourite with the sponsors. Only a six-year-old, he racked up a hat-trick of impressive victories back in October and November. McManus last won the race in 2007 with Butler’s Cabin.
The 69 entries include last year’s winner Organisedconfusion who carried 10st 6lb to win in 2011, with Nina Carberry on board. A rise in the ratings sees him put in at 11st 6lb this year. Seabass carries top weight of 11st 10lb, trained by Ted Walsh, he is unbeaten on his last six starts on the racecourse, including a defeat of Zaarito last time out.
Likely to be joining the favourite in the green and gold colours will be recent Cheltenham winner Alfie Sherrin and Pertemps Final runner up, Catch Me. J P McManus’s Racing Manager Frank Berry has reported: “Both of them have come out of their respective races well and providing we get some rain they are likely to head to Fairyhouse.”
Gigginstown House Stud are likely to be well represented. Eddie O’Leary is encouraged by the fact that last year saw a six-year-old winning the race as far as the chances of Four Commanders (10st 9lb) are concerned. Regarding the other entries O’Leary points out: “We will hopefully run Magnanimity who has really come back to himself recently and Start Me Up is also another likely runner as are Gates of Rome and Crash who both have possible Limerick engagements first.”
Cadogan, who is on 10st 5lb, would bid to give Jim Dreaper a fourth win in the race, having previously won it with Colebridge in 1974 and Brown Lad in 1975, 76 and 78. “We have had some leg trouble with him but we are delighted to have won some races with him over the years. The National has such a great prize on offer that we had to go for it, but he will obviously be very ground dependent.”
Noel Meade has said at this stage it is likely Paul Carberry will ride Cross Appeal (10st 7lb) who has had this race as a target for a while: “ He is in really good form, we don’t mind if the rain stays away for him or Fisher Bridge, but we would only run Medical Card if the ground came up on the soft side.”
The sponsors are into the second year of a three year deal with the racecourse and Hayley O’Connor of Ladbrokes put into perspective the importance of this meeting: “ As one of our headline sponsorships we couldn’t have been happier with last year’s renewal.” She added: “ The race has such a broad appeal and it truly is a jewel in the crown of Irish Racing.”
Noel O’Brien, Senior National Hunt Handicapper can’t remember a time when so many horses were in the handicap proper: “Of the 69 entries, 64 of them are in the handicap and this will make for a very competitive renewal of the contest. It has attracted the top handicappers in the UK and Ireland, so it is sure to be a very exciting race.”
Peter Roe, Racecourse Manager at Fairyhouse is very happy with the entries: “We are delighted to have such a competitive entry for this year’s Ladbrokes Irish Grand National which is the centrepiece of our Easter Festival from 8th to 10th April. This year’s festival will again revolve around quality racing along with an enlarged shopping village, music and children’s entertainment.” He added, “We will be keeping a close eye on the weather and will commence watering when appropriate to ensure safe ground for the festival.”
