Big entry expected for Irish National Entries for the 131st running of the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National due to take place at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday 1st April 2002 closed this week.This race, the highlight of the four-day Easter Festival which begins on Sunday 31st March, is worth ?170,000 in total prizemoney and among the likely entries in search of the ?107,000 winners purse could be the Ted Walsh-trained 2000 winner Commanche Court, who finished a gallant runner-up to Best Mate in the Tote Gold Cup.Also likely to figure among the entries which will be officially unveiled at a reception in Irish Distillers Dublin next Wednesday 20th March are Rathbawn Prince, a gallant runner-up in last year's encounter, the veteran Dorans Pride and 2000 runner-up Foxchapel King.2000 Martell Grand National hero Papillon is another possible entry for the 3m5f stamina test while exciting novices Harbour Pilot, Oa Baldixe and Give Over may also figure. Cross-channel possible contenders include the Hughie Morrison-trained Cheltenham William Hill Handicap Chase victor Frenchman's Creek and Nicky Henderson's Kim Muir hero The Bushkeeper. The Bushkeeper's stable companion Marlborough, who filled fourth place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, along with fifth placed What's Up Boys, trained by Philip Hobbs, are two other possible British entries.
