Horseracing: Irish horses get the nod for Aintree

Last year's winner Papillon has been installed by bookmakers into their betting at 8-1 joint favourite in Saturday's Grand National.

The Department of Agriculture made a surprising u-turn in their decision to allow Irish trained horses to travel to England to compete at Aintree in the Grand National.

Horses traveling to Britain will be given permits allowing them to leave the country but there may be a delay imposed upon them as to when they can be returned.

The Department of Agriculture had asked trainers not to travel to England due to the foot-and-mouth out-break.