RACING: Some locals may be tempted to ring the monopolies commission after the Martell Grand National, because Hedgehunter looks a serious bet to continue the Irish hot-streak in the world's most famous steeplechase.
A quarter of the maximum, 40-strong field starting today are trained in Ireland, which is not altogether surprising considering our recent record.
If one of the team can win out again it will be a fourth Irish success in the last six years, an unprecedented run considering the barren spell between L'Escargot (1975) and Bobbyjo (1999), not to mention that there have been just 18 Irish winners of the race in all.
The reigning champion, Monty's Pass, is back in an attempt to emulate Red Rum (1973-74) as a back-to-back winner and looks like getting his favoured good ground. The downside is that he now has only Le Coudray above him in the handicap.
No doubt fans of Jimmy Mangan's horse will point to the "Aintree factor", but the fence alterations of recent years have reduced that argument, and there is also the not insignificant statistic that 21 of the last 25 winners have carried less than 11st.
Taking that literally, then the top 10 horses can be discounted, although such a definitive stance might be dangerous with the likes of the 2002 winner, Bindaree, and the Tony Martin-trained David's Lad around.
The latter took a circuitous route via the High Court to a non-appearance last season, and a less than inspiring campaign this time round indicates his chance might be gone.
Plenty of attention in the build-up has focused on Tony McCoy's attempt to win the famous race for the first time.
The British champion jockey is on Jurancon II, one of a seven-strong team from Martin Pipe, and the probability of good ground has seen the Haydock winner tumble down the ante-post betting to dispute favouritism with Clan Royal and Hedgehunter.
A pair of third placings on Blowing Wind are the best McCoy has done in eight National attempts, but apart from Blowing Wind he has failed to get around. No doubt that will have little influence on his fans if a surge on Jurancon II begins in the market.
Clan Royal is one of the four JP McManus-owned runners as the legendary owner goes in pursuit of his own first National. Le Coudray's presence at the top of the weights keeps Clan Royal on 10.5, perfect for a horse that is not the biggest but who does boast winning form over the big fences.
Spot Thedifference and Risk Accessor are other McManus contenders, but Le Coudray would surely like much softer ground than he is going to get.
Clan Royal's stable companion, Joss Naylor, has the benefit of Paul Carberry on his back, while a feel-good winner would undoubtedly be Amberleigh House, who is trained by the man who master-minded the career of Red Rum, Ginger McCain.
If he is a man intrinsically linked with the famous race, then Willie Mullins is aiming to hit the number-one spot in only his third attempt on the race.
Micko's Dream fell at the first in 2000, and two years later Alexander Banquet got only as far as the sixth. He is back for another crack, but the main Mullins hope has to be Hedgehunter, who looks like he could also be the best hope of another Irish winner.
As an eight-year-old scheduled to carry 10.12, Hedgehunter appears to have an ideal National profile and he comes here on the back of sparkling Thyestes Chase success at Gowran in January.
David Casey teamed up with the horse that day after Hedgehunter had lost out in two hard races in the Welsh National and Hennessy Gold Cup.
Mullins has purposefully given Hedgehunter a break since the Thyestes, so freshness will not be a problem. No problems are expected either from his jumping, while any horse that thrives around Gowran in January should not have any stamina issues.
A slight question mark is the ground. Mullins would ideally like give in the ground, but Hedgehunter has no problems on good going and there is some rain forecast for this morning in the Liverpool area.
If that comes it will only increase confidence in Hedgehunter's chance.
Edward O'Grady supplies a lively outsider in Takagi, while Clan Royal's experience on the track makes him a danger. But Hedgehunter can kick off another Irish celebration.
THE FORECAST
Hedgehunter 1
Takagi 2
Clan Royal 3
Joss Naylor 4
