Ruby Walsh: Perceval Legallois can land National spoils 

If anything, recent changes to the race have made it a stiffer test, so when you’re looking for your idea of the winner, it may pay to focus on the ones with proven stamina.

Perceval Legallois and Mark Walsh win the Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle. Pic: Healy Racing

IT CERTAINLY hasn’t always been the case, but Irish-based horses are enjoying a sustained period of domination of the Aintree Grand National, having won six of the last eight runnings of the race, and with more than half of the 34 runners in this afternoon’s feature, hopes of bringing it home once more are particularly high.

Willie Mullins, who won the race for the second time when I Am Maximus was victorious here last year, saddles six of them, including last year’s hero, who is a leading player despite having to carry top weight.