The Irish Grand National had been in decline for a number of years, but one’s faith in Ireland’s premier National Hunt race was renewed by a scintillating display from Our Duke at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Liam Lennon has his fingers firmly crossed Tammys Hill can transfer his smart hunter chase form to the open ranks when his stable star goes for glory in the Boylesports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

THOMAS DREAPER, whose family is steeped in the history of Fairyhouse, savoured his first success at the County Meath track yesterday when partnering Desperado Queen to an all-the-way win in the Ratoath Mares Chase.