Racing: Despite the defection of Timbera, bookmakers still rate the chances of a fourth Grand National success in six years for Ireland at Aintree on Saturday.
Paddy Power are going just 5 to 2 about one of the strong Irish raiding party adding to the victories of Bobbyjo (1999), Papillon (2000) and Monty's Pass last year.
"When we opened betting, we went 11 to 4 an Irish-trained horse winning at Aintree, but that soon went down to 7 to 4. Even with Timbera and Rince Ri out, we still go 5 to 2 about the visitors," said a spokesman yesterday.
That comes on the back of an upbeat report on the reigning champion Monty's Pass, who will be ridden for the first time since September by his big-race jockey Barry Geraghty.
"Barry hasn't ridden the horse since the Kerry National in September, but we took him to Naas recently where David Casey worked him and he was happy," said trainer Jimmy Mangan.
"We're very pleased with the horse and the good ground will be ideal. He is a great jumper and loves the course. He has finished first and second on his two runs there," he added.
Casey will ride the new ante-post favourite, Hedgehunter, for Willie Mullins, who will also run Alexander Banquet (Shay Barry).
"Hedgehunter had a couple of hard races early in the season and that's why he hasn't run since the Thyestes," said Mullins. "I think he might have a little too much weight, but David Casey is happy. Alexander Banquet didn't fire in the Gold Cup and we're hoping the big fences bring out some enthusiasm in him."
Noel Meade will depend on the 2002 Irish Grand National winner, The Bunny Boiler, who will be ridden by Barry Geraghty's brother Ross.
"The Bunny Boiler fell at the first last year but he went around loose and finished in front of everything else," said trainer Meade yesterday. "I'm hoping he jumps as well this time with a jockey aboard."
The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Clan Royal has been a mover in the market in recent days but is just one of four horses likely to carry the JP McManus colours. The others, Le Coudray, Risk Accessor and Spot Thedifference, are trained in Ireland and their chances weren't being ruled out by McManus' racing manager yesterday.
"Le Coudray has a lot of weight but he is a good horse and he is in good form," said Frank Berry.
"Risk Accessor is going well at home but the trip is unknown territory for him. If he jumps well and settles he has the ability to perform well.
"Spot Thedifference made a mistake down the back straight in the Foxhunters at Cheltenham but kept going to be fifth. He may have been closer with a clear run and he may have been unlucky. On a going day he could run a big race," added Berry.
Conor O'Dwyer will be on board Le Coudray in the big race, but before that will team up with his old partner Native Upmanship to try to win the Mumm Melling Chase for a third year in a row tomorrow.
One of Native Upmanship's six rivals will be Moscow Flyer, and trainer Arthur Moore said: "It looks a tougher race than the last two years. But we think he is good as ever."
Jessica Harrington has given a thumbs up to Moscow Flyer's return to action after a dramatic exit at Cheltenham in the Champion Chase.
"He is taking on two and a half miles for the first time but I don't think it will be a problem. He didn't really have a race at Cheltenham," said Harrington.
