Ballistraw will attempt to prove there was no fluke about his recent 33-1 win in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

PUNTERS took a St. Patrick’s Day pasting at both Down Royal and Wexford yesterday as a succession of favourites, three of them at odds-on, were turned over.

Dun Doire is likely to begin his build-up to another crack at the John Smith’s Grand National with a run over hurdles at Punchestown on Sunday.

DUN DOIRE is to enjoy a well-earned break after being taken off his feet in the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday.

PAT HUGHES believes Point Barrow will “definitely” make the frame if he enjoys a trouble-free passage in Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National.

A new favourite has emerged for Saturday's Grand National at Aintree.

WILLIE MULLINS could saddle as many as five runners in the John Smith’s Grand National on Saturday after 68 horses stood their ground at the five-day confirmation stage yesterday.

Ossmoses has been ruled out of the John Smith’s Grand National.

A total of 81 entries remain in the John Smith's Grand National, to run at Aintree on Saturday, April 14, after today's second forfeit stage, including all the leading contenders.

PAT HUGHES has reported Point Barrow to be in top shape after his recent exertions as money continues to pour in for the John Smith’s Grand National hope.

Paul Carberry has been handed the ride aboard ante-post favourite Dun Doire in the John Smith’s Grand National.

Ireland’s main Aintree hope Dun Doire made hard work of justifying favouritism in the Tennent’s No.1 Chase at Down Royal.

BRAVE INCA is on course to bid for back-to-back victories in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Aran Concerto looks a horse with a big future after gaining a facile success in the Grade One Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle at Navan.

Point Barrow sprung a 20-1 surprise in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

PAT HUGHES could leave a horrendous couple of months behind by saddling Point Barrow to land a typically wide open Powers' Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Mick Fitzgerald has been booked to partner Powers Whisky Irish Grand National favourite Dun Doire by trainer Tony Martin.

OUR BEN, trained by Willie Mullins, heads 30 runners in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Our Ben, trained by Willie Mullins, heads 30 runners in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

DON'T know about you, but here's one who will be desperately sorry to see the back of the National Hunt season.

A decision on Forget The Past’s participation in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse will not be made until Friday morning.

WILLIE MULLINS is hoping the rain stays away to give Hedgehunter every chance of completing back-to-back victories in the John Smith’s Grand National.

Ruby Walsh was crowned champion jockey at the 2006 Cheltenham Festival but it took until the last race of the meeting before he clinched the Racing Post-sponsored trophy.

MOST people will be backing Baracouda for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, but as I wrote on Tuesday, I feel his best days are behind him.

THE story of the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday told us something that is as old as the Festival itself.

EVEN matches made in heaven sometimes have to go through hell to prove their partnership.

Tony Martin believes his Thyestes Chase winner Dun Doire holds “a fair chance” in the ultra-competitive William Hill Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

Paul Nicholls has a powerful 10-strong team entered in the John Smith’s Grand National as he continues his quest for his first trainers’ championship.

AT around 5.30pm on Wednesday trainer John Carr rang fellow handler Tony Martin and told him his (Carr’s) horse Killeaney had got a knock and would have to miss the following day’s Ellen Construction Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.

THERE was much speculation at Gowran Park yesterday regarding the defection of Killeaney from the Thyestes Chase, allowing first reserve and eventual winner Dun Doire to get into the contest.

TONY MARTIN’S worst fears were realised yesterday morning when his ante-post favourite for this afternoon’s Ellen Construction Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park, Dun Doire, failed to make the line up and is first reserve.

YOU could only describe it as a beautifully executed gamble.