A GRAND National Festival in which success is proving frustratingly elusive for Ireland took a darker turn at Aintree yesterday when the high-class Schindlers Hunt was among three Irish-trained runners to be killed in falls.

Both Plaisir d'Estruval and Prudent Honour were killed in the Topham Trophy over the big Grand National fences, coming down at Valenties Brook as the 22 to 1 shot Always Waining maintained a relentless gallop to beat the Willie Mullins-trained topweight Scotsirish.

However, the inherent danger in all National Hunt racing was also illustrated over the Mildmay course as Schindlers Hunt broke a leg at the third fence of the Grade One Melling Chase won by Alberta's Run.

His jockey, Paddy Flood, sustained a suspected broken collarbone in the spill and Roger Loughran will take his place on board Vic Venturi in today's National.

"He barely took off," said a disconsolate trainer Dessie Hughes.

"It's always terrible losing a horse and he was a good one."

Lar Byrne, of the Slaneyville Syndicate, which owned Schindlers Hunt was "devastated" at the loss of a stalwart that won seven times, including the Grade One St Stephen's Day feature at Leopardstown in 2006.

On the eve of his 15th attempt to win the National, Tony McCoy got a morale-booster on Alberta's Run who stayed on far too strongly for the other Irish hope, Forpadydeplasterer.

"He's a right little horse. At the second last we were flat to the boards, but I never felt they were going to get by me," McCoy said.

"Good ground is the key to him. He is confident on good ground and jumps well on it."

Forpadydeplasterer's trainer Tom Cooper said: "Right down to the last when we got to within half a length of the winner I thought we had a chance. There are no excuses and that'll be it for the season."

Willie Mullins hasn't ruled out Punchestown for either Scotsirish and Dooneys Gate who finished second and fourth respectively in the Topham.

"After those performances I wouldn't be afraid to enter either of them in next year's National. The course certainly holds no fears for them," he said.

"I'm just disappointed for Katie (Walsh) who rode Pomme Tiepy and fell at the first.

"The ground should be perfect for both Arbor Supreme and Snowing Morning in the National."

Irish horses finished runner-up in five races yesterday, including Western Leader who made most of the running in the Grade One John Smith's Sefton Novices' Hurdle only to come up six lengths short of Wayward Prince.

"He ran a super race but unfortunately he has finished lame," said Western Leader's trainer, "Shark" Hanlon.

Dare To Doubt did best of the Irish in the mares bumper but couldn't get to grips with the 28 to 1 winner Big Time Billy. It completed a double for Welsh-based trainer Peter Bowen after Always Waining's earlier Topham triumph.

The Ballyholland team of Andrew McNamara and Colin McBratney got their eye in for today's National as Carsonstown Boy fared best of the rest in the John Smith's Handicap Hurdle behind another Tony McCoy winner Ringaroses.

Barry Geraghty was in sparkling form with a Grade Two double in the first two races.

General Miller exited the Supreme at Cheltenham at the very first flight but he illustrated how costly that was by overhauling the Supreme winner Menorah in the closing stages yesterday to win by a neck.

"I thought when we squared up to Menorah at the third last that I always had enough horse to beat him. My lad was a bit slow at the second last but winged the last," Geraghty said.

Nicky Henderson also supplied Geraghty with Burton Port who built on his RSA second at Cheltenham with a gutsy defeat of Dance Island in the novices chase.

"He must have the biggest heart because he has been on the go all season. His enthusiasm for life is unbelievable," said Henderson.