Trainer Thomas Gibney believes the controversial start to the Crabbie’s Grand National cost Lion Na Bearnaí virtually all chance of victory at Aintree.

Not content with having another shot at winning the Crabbie’s Grand National, Across The Bay’s localowners have even begun writing their own headlines.

Crabbie’s Grand National entry Goonyella is to have his first start of the year in Thursday’s Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel.

Spent a good few hours last Saturday morning studying the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

Imperial Commander heads a list of 49 horses left in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday following the five-day stage.

Trainer Donald McCain is hoping to be triple-handed in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 6.

Barry Geraghty will make a decision on his William Hill King George VI Chase mount “sooner rather than later” according to trainer Nicky Henderson.

Tidal Bay heads a final field of 19 runners for tomorrow’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

Trainer Mouse Morris will wait until the middle of the week before deciding whether to let First Lieutenant take his chance in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Tom Gibney is still planning to run Lion Na Bearnai in the Hennessy Gold Cup Chase – although the trainer would have preferred to have been able to give this year’s Irish National winner a prep run in advance.

Patience should be rewarded by the Tom Mullins-trained mare Elsie in tonight’s bumper in Killarney, the Killarney Racegoers Ladies Flat Race.

Wexford houses a card this evening which is really without a redeeming feature and for those who cannot resist punting then wagers should be kept to the bare minimum.

Tom Gibney, who trains relatively locally at Kells in Co Meath, enjoyed his greatest success when Lion Na Bearnai sprang a 33-1 shock in the Ladbrokes’ Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse yesterday.

The Ladbrokes Irish Grand National is one of the most precious jewels in Ireland’s racing crown, and it was Lion Na Bearnai who came up trumps, returning at odds of 33/1, with the crowds happy to cheer him into the winners’ enclosure with his popular local trainer Tom Gibney.

A trip to Aintree is one of several options open to Rathlin, who has delighted trainer Mouse Morris by finally showing his true ability over fences.

Willie Mullins saddled a one-two in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at Navan yesterday as Mourad, ridden by Paul Townend, turned over the Ruby Walsh-ridden 4/11 favourite Mikael D’Haguenet.

AMATEUR Kevin Power was suspended for fourteen days following his ride on runner-up Optimum Force in the Conyngham Cup at Punchestown last evening.