Martin to run two in National Tony Martin intends to run Royal County Star and Newbay Prop in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday, although The Roney Man is also a possible should the weights go up. Royal County Star was introduced as an 8-1 chance by Paddy Power last Saturday, but is now 5-1 co-favourite due to strong demand in the market. He finished eighth to Fen Game on his most recent start in the paddypowertrader.com Handicap Hurdle at Naas last month. The nine-year-old had previously won the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in November, having unseated his rider two fences from home on his previous outing in the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel in September. The County Meath trainer said: "Royal County Star ran over hurdles three weeks ago and ran quite well and I´m happy with him. Hopefully everything will be okay for Monday. "He was a bit unlucky in the Kerry National and was third or fourth at the time and looked to have a great chance when he unseated Robbie [Colgan]. "But he gained good compensation in the Troytown when Robbie was very good and it all worked out." Newbay Prop, who is a 16-1 chance with Paddy Power, secured the most valuable prize of his career when he landed the prestigious Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. The Good Thyne gelding was pulled up before the 11th obstacle on his last run in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last week. "I thought he would run well at Cheltenham, but he ran into himself and pulled a shoe off," explained Martin. "It was only half-way and he only went a mile so I intend running him at Fairyhouse." The trainer knows exactly what is required to take an Irish National, having saddled Davids Lad to take the 2001 renewal, but is under no illusions about the enormity of his charges´ task. He added: "The Irish National is the most competitive chase in Ireland for the year and I´ve got two horses realistically with chances - they´ve been running well and done well."
