Lad resumes National service

A field of 23, headed by Aintree absentee Davids Lad, will go to post for the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Tony Martin’s 2001 winner was forced to miss the Martell Cognac Grand National after being suspended for 42 days for using the racecourse as a training ground, and will carry 12st following the defection of Rince Ri.

The latter’s trainer, Ted Walsh, decided the underfoot conditions would not suit his charge.

However, Walsh praised Fairyhouse officials for producing officially good ground for the three mile, five furlong marathon.

“I can’t get over how good a job they have done with the watering,” said the trainer, who walked the track yesterday evening.

“It’s safe ground, but Rince Ri needs it easier.

“I have to say that if I was set to run Commanche Court or Papillon I wouldn’t hesitate to run either on it.”

Walsh now looks set to direct Rince Ri to the Punchestown Festival, provided conditions allow.

“He could go off level weights at Punchestown if the weather breaks, but the forecast isn’t in our favour.”

Martin will be triple-handed in the 170,000 event, with recent Aintree third Ross Moff and Falcon Du Coteau set to join their stablemate, while Francis Crowley has elected to leave out Moscow Express in favour of The Dell.

The Dell will be ridden by Barry Geraghty, who is chasing a National double following his success on Monty’s Pass at Aintree.

Crowley’s gelding is set to renew rivalry with Native Jack, Torduff Boy and Timbera, the quartet having filled the first four places in a Cork handicap chase at the end of March, where Native Jack ran out victorious.

There will be no British raiders, and last year’s winner The Bunny Boiler, a first-fence casualty at Aintree, will be attempting to follow up his 2002 success.

Meanwhile, Tote Ireland is set to give its patrons a windfall of up to 500,000 in the coming year by reducing its Win Pool deduction by 50% to the new low rate of 10%. This will apply to all races in the Republic with 10 or less runners declared overnight, starting tomorrow at Fairyhouse and Cork.

Of the 1,995 races run in Ireland in 2002 493 had 10 or fewer runners declared or just under 25% of the total. The pilot is set to run until the end of 2003 at which time it will be reviewed.

This will raise the profile of pool betting and make it even better value. Stay at home punters can also avail of this great value by dialling Tote Account on Callsave 1850 - 238669."

Tote Ireland are also now betting into all major UK Racemeetings up to 4 each day.

Customers can follow all Irish and UK Tote Prices on Aertel.

Cashmans betting on Irish Grand National: 6/1 Davids Lad, 9/1 Eskimo Jack, 10/1 Ross Moff, 11/1 Winning Dream, 12/1 Rathbawn Prince, 12/1 Timbera, 14/1 Torduff Boy, 14/1 Takagi, 14/1 Knock Knock, 14/1 Ivehadit, 16/1 Native Jack, 16/1 One Night Out, 18/1 The Dell, 20/1 Wotsitooya, 20/1 The Bunny Boiler.