Irish National line-up taking shape Following the success of Amberleigh House on Saturday the focus of attention now switches to the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.A record 74 entries for the Bank Holiday spectacle were announced last week and Le Coudray, who got as far as the as Bechers (22nd) when still travelling well at Aintree, could emerge as the likely top-weight. Frank Berry, racing manager for JP McManus said today: “Le Coudray was fine this morning and came back in good old shape. Given the weather forecast and the likely ground I wouldn’t rule him out at this stage.”Dermot Weld confirmed Direct Bearing as “a definite starter” for the €180,000 contest and said: “My horse runs at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday but riding arrangements are not confirmed just yet.”Also likely to run is British raider Artic Jack, who fell at the first in the Aintree equivalent after attracting good support from 40/1 to 20’s on the day. Sue Smith, who trains the 8-year-old, said: “He crumbled in a heap on Saturday but he had no lumps or bruises after and didn’t run away after the fall. He worked fine this morning and is a strong possibility to travel.”A spokeswoman for Richard Guest, trainer of Aintree absentee Tyneandthyneagain, who shouldered top-weight to win the Tote Eider at Newcastle in February, and 2002 Peter Marsh Chase winner Red Striker, confirmed that both horses will be left in at tomorrow’s forfeit stage. “They both want soft ground and are in great form. With the ground likely to be on the soft side it’s highly likely that both could head to Fairyhouse.”Dick Sheil, Fairyhouse General Manager, reported the ground as soft (yielding to soft in places) and said: “With the forecast for showers during the week I wouldn’t expect the ground to be any faster than yielding come next Monday.”
