Bookmakers cannot agree about the chances of Xenophon in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National, with Paddy Power installing him 5-1 favourite and Cashmans going 14-1.
The eight-year-old bids to give Tony Martin a second win in the Easter Monday showpiece, following Davids Lad's 2001 success. Last year's Coral Cup winner has failed to set the chasing world alight and is
without a win in four starts over the bigger obstacles.
His best effort was arguably his latest, when he came home fifth, 16 lengths adrift of Pizarro, in the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
The Fairyhouse marathon has attracted a strong field, with the 43 left in the race at today's forfeit stage including last year's winner Timbera, who was a Liverpool absentee after picking up a lung infection earlier in the week.
The 10-year-old is on the mend and a "hopeful" starter for the big spectacle.
Dessie Hughes, who trains the son of Commanche Run, said: "He's improved a good bit but is not 100% yet, but hopefully he will be come next week."
Last Saturday's Aintree hero Amberleigh House is among the entries but is finished for the season, according to trainer Ginger McCain, who described stable companion Ebony Light as "only a possible" for the 3m5f stamina test.
"We'll leave it open for a few days. I'll talk to his owner (Roger Bellamy) some time tonight before we make any final decision."
Also ruled out is last year's third Winning Dream after disappointing his trainer Oliver McKiernan. He said:
"He didn't work as well as we had hoped over the weekend so we scoped him and we discovered he has a lung infection."
Irish National betting
Paddy Power: 5-1 Xenophon, 8-1 Native Jack, 10-1 Artic Jack, Kadoun, Timbera, 12-1 Hume Castle, Salco Express, 14-1 Colonel Rayburn, Le Coudray, Mini Sensation, Montayral, Never Compromise, 16-1 Back On Top, Ballybrophy, Direct Bearing, Munster, Ross Moff, Spot Thedifference, Tyneandthyneagain, 20-1 What Odds, 25-1 bar.
Cashmans: 8-1 Le Coudray, 10-1 Native Jack, Timbera, Hume Castle, Montayral, Direct Bearing, 12-1 Artic Jack, Kadoun, Mini Sensation, Tyneandthyneagain, 14-1 Xenophon, Red Striker, Back On Top, Ross Moff, Bennie's Pride, 16-1 Colonel Rayburn, Never Compromise, 20-1 What Odds, Satco Express, 25-1 bar.