Connections on Irish National prospects

Owner Barry Connell is keeping his fingers crossed for a big run from his two BoyleSports Irish Grand National contenders Champagne James and Usuel Smurfer on Monday.

He does, however, admit ground conditions at Fairyhouse might not suit both of them.

The Ted Walsh-trained Champagne James was the gambled-on favourite for the Kim Muir at Cheltenham but could only manage seventh, while Shark Hanlon's Usuel Smurfer was down the field in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in January.

Connell said: "For a while it looked like Champagne James wasn't going to get in, so we're pleased he has. It's testing ground and that shouldn't bother him, but it won't help the other lad.

"If it was still very testing he might not run, if it does dry up he would have a bit of an each-way chance."

The Jim Dreaper-trained Los Amigos returns to Fairyhouse with a leading chance having won in January, and will be having only his 17th career start despite being an eight-year-old.

Dreaper said: "He's lightly raced, not by choice, he had a few little issues that prevented him running more often than he has done.

"His jumping's been good. I don't think better ground would be an issue, but I'd say he'd be more effective on soft. He's only run once this winter. We think he's fine now. We're very hopeful that this Easter he can do it."

Paddy Power Chase third Vics Canvas represents Dermot McCloughlin, who has a strong family connection with the historic race.

He said: " He seems in good form and we're looking forward to it. We'd have liked to have had a couple more runs for a bit more experience. It's hard to believe we're saying that about a 12-year-old, but that's where we are and that's what we have to go with.

"He had a few problems. He had a leg injury, a tendon injury and a had a lot of trouble early on with ulcers. We didn't get going with him until he was seven.

"We don't abuse him. He's a very handy horse to train, luckily enough. We don't have to do much with him, so we can go race to race with a fresh horse."

He added: "My father rode the winner of it in 1962 (Kerforo). We're just hoping we get him there in one piece and see what happens after that. It's a big handicap, you need a bit of luck on the day. Soft ground would be ideal."

Top hunter chaser Tammys Hill runs for just the fourth time since striking gold at the Cheltenham Festival last season.

His trainer Liam Lennon said: " It will be more of an achievement for the owners as they bred this horse. There'll be bus loads going down to see him - we've always called him the community horse.

"We think we have him back to where he was before he went to Cheltenham. We think he's in that sort of form. These past six weeks the build-up has been identical to the one we had for Cheltenham last year, so fingers crossed."

Lots Of Memories is another prominent in the market and he has been competing against some of the best in novice company, including when third to Don Poli in the Topaz Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

His trainer Paul Fahey said: " His pedigree on the sire's side suggests he'll stay, and the few times we've run him over three miles you couldn't say stamina was an issue."