Favourite still not guaranteed to get a run in Irish National
Owned by J P McManus, Synchronised is one of nine English-based potential challengers for a bumper first prize of €141,000, in what will be the 140th running of the traditional highlight of the three-day Easter Festival.
McManus has seven other possibilities as well, Quantitativeeasing, Quiscover Fontaine, See U Bob, Sunnyhillboy, Glenstal Abbey, Wins Now and Streets Of Gold.
Ante-post favourite with the new sponsors, Gordon Elliott’s Beautiful Sound (9-10), is still not guaranteed a run.
Beautiful Sound is number 32 in the list of acceptors, but the National, of course, is confined to 25 runners. He will need seven horses to come out at Friday morning’s final declaration stage.
Eoin Griffin’s The Last Derby (9-13) is the 25th horse listed and will be the south Kilkenny trainer’s first Irish Grand National runner.
Said Griffin: “Our fellow is a definite now for Fairyhouse, as it’s our first preference over Saturday’s big race at Sandown.”
Previously successful with Perris Valley in 1988, Dermot Weld is set to saddle Dr Ronan Lambe’s versatile grey Prince Erik, who will be partnered by Davy Condon.
“The better the ground the better he will like it”, reported Weld. “The plan is to run and I have booked Davy, who won on him at Naas last month.”
Another grey bound to attract the betting public is the Mervyn Torrens trained Hughies Grey, who has gone up 26lbs in the ratings following his Ulster National win at Downpatrick and a more recent Grade 2 victory at Navan.
He is in line for a €50,000 bonus, if landing the National. Commented Torrens: “He won’t be risked if there’s anything fast about the ground. I would love to run him, because the further they go the better for him and he’s in great order.”
Ladbrokes’ representative, Hayley O’Connor, said: “The ground will be key for Synchronised. The longer the sunshine continues the less likely he will be to have conditions in his favour, so we’ve eased him. Prince Erik was the liveliest in the market today.”
Ladbrokes bet: 7-1 Beautiful Sound, 10-1 Prince Erik, 12-1 Quantitatativeeasing, Sunnyhillboy, 14-1 Backstage, Organisedconfusioin, Pomme Tiepy, 16-1 Hughies Grey, See U Bob, Shakervilz, Some Target, Western Charmer, Whatuthink, Synchronised, 20-1 bar.
The Irish Racing Post Point-to-Point bumper, which precedes the National, has attracted an entry of 37, with Michael O’Leary poised to offer connections of the winner €100,000 on the spot, should they want to sell, plus a further €25,000 apiece in bonuses for any future Grade 1 victories over hurdles and fences.
The advance going at Fairyhouse remains good according to acting manager, Peter Roe, after watering commenced at the Co Meath track on Tuesday.
Said Roe: “We are watering the track and, with no significant rain forecast before the weekend, the situation is being continually monitored, as we aim to produce good National Hunt ground.”
