Martin has strong National hand Tony Martin could have up to four runners in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. The Co Meath handler has left in Royal County Star, Drumconvis, Newbay Prop and Hold The Pin at Monday's forfeit stage. The former, who is a 10-1 chance with Paddy Power, won the Grade 3 Irish Form Book An Uaimh Chase at Navan last month, Drumconvis, a 12-1 shot with Power, was an excellent runner-up in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on March 11th, Newbay Prop (25-1) was third to Character Building in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the same event a day later, while Hold The Pin (50-1) filled the same position in the John Smith's Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter last month. Martin, who won the Irish National courtesy of Davids Lad in 2001, said: "Royal County Star did it well at Navan and I was very happy as it was his first run since the English Hennessy. He'd be happy on good ground which would definitely suit, but wouldn't mind a bit of ease either. "I am very happy with Drumconvis and he has come out of the Cheltenham race well. He's a good novice and I'm happy with his form. A mistake four out probably cost him the race last time and he didn't quite get up the hill. "Derek [O'Connor, jockey] had to use him a bit after the mistake, but it was a great run to come second at Cheltenham and four miles there is very hard. "Newbay Prop was also placed at Cheltenham and I'm fairly sure that he will run at Fairyhouse. He's in good form and again has come out of the race well. "Hold The Pin wouldn't mind soft ground but it all depends if the top weight Notre Pere runs as our fellow is a long way down the weights [8st 12lb] and we'd like to see the weights go up for him."
