Roi heads Irish National weights Groody Hill and Cross Appeal head the market at 9/1 with the sponsor's after a maximum field of 30 runners were declared for the €250,000 Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday. The Gordon Elliott-trained Roi Du Mee carries top-weight in the three-mile-five-furlong showpiece and is one of five runners for leading owners Gigginstown House Stud. Ante-post favourite Four Commanders is one of the other horses which will carry the famous maroon and white silks, along with Magnanimity, Gift Of Dgab, and Start Me Up. Tony McCoy travels over to partner Groody Hill for his boss JP McManus, who like Gigginstown has a strong hand with Osana, Catch Me, Aigle D'Or and Alfie Sherrin in the final declarations. Cross Appeal is a major contender for Noel Meade, while Ninetieth Minute, Ruby Walsh's mount Allee Garde, Lastoftheleaders and Leanne are other fancied runners. The Willie Mullins-trained pair The Midnight Club and Quiscover Fontaine were among those taken out, while Cadogan is another notable absentee. Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe has had to implement a watering strategy throughout the week due to the lack of rain; “The forecast is for no further rain between now and Sunday, but we are expecting rain on Sunday evening. "We will keep a close eye on the weather forecasts before any further watering takes place. The ground is currently good.” The three days of the Easter Festival have plenty going on for all the family. Children under 18 get in for free with entertainment for them on each day, while the shopping Village is another feature on all three days. Appropriately on Easter Sunday there is to be an Easter Bonnet competition sponsored by La Bucca Restaurant. The Carton House Most Stylish Lady Competition will be judged by Brendan Courtney of RTE and Rosanna Davison, and all entrants will be bidding for a winning package worth over €8,000 from Carton House. You can pre-register on the Carton House Facebook Page. Roe is very much looking forward to the Festival saying, “We are all set for a great weekend with top quality racing and with the shopping village, music by bands like Na Fianna and the Kilkennys, Carton House Most Stylish lady competition there will be plenty to entertain everyone.” Ladbrokes Irish Grand National, sponsor's bet: 9/1 Groody Hill, Cross Appeal, 10/1 Alfie Sherrin, Four Commanders, 12/1 Ninetieth Minute, 14/1 Allee Garde, Lastoftheleaders, 16/1 Bar.
