Synchro tops Irish National weights

Welsh National winner Synchronised is set to carry top-weight in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse next Monday after 51 horses were left in at the latest entry stage.

The first two home in the John Smith's Grand National - Ballabriggs (the original Fairyhouse top-weight) and Oscar Time - have been taken out, while The Midnight Club, Majestic Concorde, Niche Market, Chicago Grey and Quel Esprit were others prominent in ante-post lists to be removed.

Clear favourite Beautiful Sound is still far from a certain runner needing seven more horses to come out in order to make the line-up, which this year is a maximum of 25 runners.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Synchronised is one of nine British-trained horses still in the three miles and five furlongs marathon, while stable-companion Sunnyhillboy was also confirmed a runner by owner J P McManus' racing manager Frank Berry.

McManus has eight horses still entered and Berry confirmed that “most of the ones in at the moment will run” including the Nicky Henderson-trained Quantitativeeasing.

“We have to declare on Friday which is a long time until the race on Monday. We'll see how the watering goes and what happens with the weather but Synchronised, Sunnyhillboy and Quantitativeeasing will all travel over on Saturday morning,” said Berry.

When questioned as to Tony McCoy's likely mount, Berry commented: “I've no idea. I'd say Tony won't make up his mind until he sees how the weather goes on Friday morning.”

Berry continued: “Sunnyhillboy is in good form. He had a hard old fall at Cheltenham which is unlike him but he's come out of it good. He's 100% now, and won't mind a bit of good ground for sure. The rest (Quiscover Fontaine, See U Bob and Glenstal Abbey) will probably all run, although the bottom couple (Wins Now and Streets Of Gold) will struggle to get in.”

Beautiful Sound is a top-priced 7/1 with the sponsors, who report good support for the Dermot Weld-trained Prince Erik at 10/1.

The Rosewell House maestro won the race with Perris Valley 23 years ago, and said: “The better the ground the better he will like it. The plan is to run and I have booked Davy Condon, who won on him at Naas last month.”

In other Irish National news, Eoin Griffin has confirmed that The Last Derby will take his chance after it was confirmed today that he is guaranteed a run. The Slieverue trainer had been contemplating a tilt at the Bet365 Gold Cup in Sandown on Saturday but will now have his first runner in the Fairyhouse feature. “Our fellow is a definite now for Fairyhouse as it's our first preference over Saturday's big race at Sandown and he's in good order," said Griffin.

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Alan Magee