Ground conditions look to have turned Oulart's way at just the right time to help last year's runner-up make it "lucky 13" in today's Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

A maximum field of 30 will line up for Ireland's richest steeplechase including a six-strong challenge from Britain that features two of the long-time ante-post market leaders, Juveigneur and Distant Thunder.

On top of that, another pair of cross-channel raiders, Butler's Cabin and Cloudy Lane, are chasing a €100,000 bonus if they can add this €250,000 Easter feature to victories they picked up at last month's Cheltenham festival.

With a home defence that includes the Tom Taaffe-trained pair of Cane Brake and Kings Advocate, as well as an intriguing challenge by the country's top hunter Whyso Mayo, it might seem a massive task for a horse that has never won over fences to win one of the most competitive events of the year but despite that Oulart still looks to have a first rate chance.

Dessie Hughes's horse has failed to get his head in front in 12 chase starts to date but Oulart is hardly some one-paced plodder that might one day sneak a win at some mid-week gaff.

Even before his gallant second to Point Barrow last year, he had proved his quality with a memorable Cheltenham Festival success in the 2005 Pertemps where crucially he bounced off the quick going.

Oulart originally took his time to get the measure of fences but he is now a competent jumper whose preparation for a Fairyhouse National return has gone smoothly over hurdles, including a lovely run when seventh to Burntoakboy in last month's Coral Cup.

A negative factor is that Cane Brake's declaration means he is 6lb out of the handicap but half the field have similar problems and the Dublin-born jockey Conor Maxwell takes 7lb off Oulart's back.

The crucial element today, however, is likely to be the going which was good yesterday and received widespread compliments from trainers and jockeys.

"It is perfectly safe jumping ground and I'm more than happy to run Cane Brake," said Tom Taaffe after walking the course again yesterday.

Watering was set to continue last evening but overall, it is hardly a situation to suit those horses that like a cut in the ground.

That could end up being a problem for Whyso Mayo whose ideal surface has a little dig in it. A horse of obvious talent that won last year's Foxhunters at Cheltenham, Ray Hurley's horse looked one of the unluckiest losers at last month's festival when an early mistake knocked him right out, and another at the third last looked to put the final nail in his chances of a successful title defence.

That he eventually got so close to the winner, Drombeag, testifies to how well he would probably have won with some better jumping, but that wasn't the first time Whyso Mayo has taken liberties with his fences and he will not be able to get away with it in this company.

Juveigneur and Distant Thunder were divided by just a short head in the William Hill Handicap at Cheltenham and should be close again now, although Juveigneur faces a big task himself with 11st 8lb on his back if Mick Fitzgerald is to secure a memorable home success on what could be his final season riding.

Nina Carberry will try and emulate her brothers, Paul and Philip, by winning today's race and her mount, last year's third, A New Story, has the sort of versatility when it comes to ground that will be a big help.

Ferdy Murphy, trainer of the 2004 winner Granit D'Estruval, will rely on Nine de Sivola this time and the Yorkshire-based handler's record has to be respected in handicap raids in his native Ireland.

Ruby Walsh will have his supporters as he tries for a third National on board Kings Advocate while Dix Villez, racing in the colours of the Ryanair boss, Michael O'Leary, is attracting more support the quicker the going is getting.

Crucially, that will be to Oulart's advantage too, and it is hardly unknown for horses to finish runner-up one year in the Irish National and get their heads in front afterwards. Tied Cottage was second 30 years ago but won in 1979 while there were five years between Omerta finishing runner-up in 1986 and winning in 1991.

One for big price each-way punters may be the mare Cheeky Lady, but Oulart looks capable of being the Easter Bunny this time.

Grand National Forecast

1st Oulart

2nd Dix Villez

3rd Well Tutored

4th Cheeky Lady