Racing: Niall 'Slippers' Madden believes he can crown a memorable season by winning tomorrow's Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National with No Half Session.
The 20-year-old jockey has already landed the John Smith's Grand National aboard Numbersixvalverde and he partners the Noel Meade-trained nine-year-old in the Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse.
No Half Session has run just three times this term and disappointed at the Cheltenham Festival when finishing well behind big-race favourite Dun Doire in the William Hill Trophy Handicap.
With regular jockey Paul Carberry still sidelined by an ankle injury sustained at Aintree, Madden returns to the saddle for the first time since he steered the gelding, currently a 14-1 chance with Paddy Power to win the three-mile-five-furlong contest, to victory in a Sligo bumper in June 2004.
"He jumps well but went to Cheltenham and didn't run as well as he could have done," said the jockey. "But on his best he'd have a great chance in the race.
"I've worked him this week, we gave him a bit of a pop, and he's in great form - the trip will be no bother at all."
Madden was denied a taste of big-race success in the 2005 renewal as Ruby Walsh was aboard when Numbersixvalverde won with three-quarters of a length to spare from Jack High.
"I got my compensation for last year at Aintree but it would be pretty special to win the Irish National," reflected Madden. "It's been such an amazing season and that would top everything."
Tony Martin hopes there will be "enough juice" in the ground for Dun Doire to justify favouritism in the 250,000 contest.
Having failed to sneak in at the foot of the handicap at Aintree, the seven-year-old, who has won seven of his eight outings, will be trying for some compensation.
Martin's charge was last seen coming from the clouds to win at Cheltenham under Walsh, who will instead ride Willie Mullins' Our Ben tomorrow.
The official going at Fairyhouse is currently yielding to soft, yielding in places and Martin, who has replaced Walsh with Mick Fitzgerald, is keeping his fingers crossed the ground does not dry out too much ahead of the race.
"He's in great form and things are looking good, but he wouldn't want it too fast," said the County Meath handler, whose gelding is currently 4-1 favourite with Paddy Power.
"As long as it's on the easy side we are all right and, at the moment, it's looking like there'll be enough juice in the ground to suit us.
"We've done well to get Mick (Fitzgerald) on board and he will find my horse has no problem with the trip."