Martin sounds Storm warning
The eight-year-old has been in sensational form since the turn of the year, racking up three successive wins, including twice at Fairyhouse.
Those victories mean he occupies top spot in the betting for the Easter Monday feature, but Martin would prefer the rain to stop sooner rather than later.
“The ground on Monday would be a concern for Saddlers Storm as he likes yielding ground ideally, which he had when he won in Navan,” said Martin.
“But we will take our chance as he is in great form and David Casey rides.”
Champion trainer Willie Mullins saddles Ballytrim, Equus Maximus and Pomme Tiepy, with stable jockey Ruby Walsh opting for Equus Maximus.
“Most of the final pieces of work were done on Thursday morning for the Irish Grand National,” said Mullins.
“Equus Maximus, Pomme Tiepy and Ballytrim all worked well. I brought them over to Doninga gallops for the morning.”
Paul Nolan has two representatives in the well-backed Alpha Ridge and talented mate Moskova.
“Alpha Ridge will hopefully take his chance. It looks as though he has a lenient enough mark compared to his hurdle rating,” said the County Wexford trainer.
“Moskova ideally will run in the National, she is entered in the mares’ race as well but we should go for the big one.”
A maximum field of 30 will go to post with the Dessie Hughes-trained Siegemaster heading the weights on 11st 7lb.
“He’s got to carry top-weight but 11st 7lb isn’t too bad. He carried 11st 8lb in the Thyestes Chase and led over the last, so it should be fine,” said Hughes.
“He’s been running well in good handicaps all year and I think he’ll give another good account of himself on Monday, the extra five furlongs will be the question.
“It’s going to be heavy ground and that will tell on them all, but you wouldn’t know who will stay the trip.
“We’ll give it a go and we know our horse goes in the ground at least.”
Bob Buckler, who won the race last year with 33-1 chance Niche Market, is represented by Double Dizzy this time, although he admits it will all be down to what mood the nine-year-old is in on the day.
“We’re just delaying going over because of the weather,” said Buckler.
“I should think the horse will head over on Saturday but if it’s still looking dodgy we might even wait until Sunday, as I don’t want to head over there and then the meeting gets abandoned.
“He’s in grand form at home and he’s a tripless horse!
“He’s run over two and a half miles and run well, and has stayed further than three and a half miles when he’s run in the cross-country races.
“One day he’s going to get his act together and come good again, but he’s a difficult horse to catch right.
“He goes there with every chance and he’s got a nice weight. He’s a very talented horse but he doesn’t seem to want to win all the time.
“He won’t worry about the heavy ground as he won his novice chase in an absolute bog, so it just depends on his mindset on the day really.”
Oliver McKiernan’s Whatuthink was second to the classy Zaarito on his latest appearance and assistant trainer Adrian Keatley does not believe the step up to this marathon trip will inconvenience him.
“We were chuffed with his run the last day and it was good to see him jump well as he fell the time before at Clonmel,” said Keatley.
“His last run was only over two and a half miles and this is a big step up in trip, but he seemed to stay three miles well over hurdles.
“The ground has gone against us a bit as it might just be a bit soft for him in jumping terms, but there is nothing we can do about that and he goes there with as good a chance as the majority.
“He is rated lower over fences than he is over hurdles but I don’t know if that means he’s well handicapped as he hasn’t had a great season.
“We’ll see how he gets on but we’d be delighted if he could run into a place.”
There are just three British contenders with Venetia Williams’ pair Flintoff and Officier De Reserve set to join Double Dizzy on the trip across the Irish Sea.
