Prince can lord it

DERMOT WELD, who saddled Perris Valley to win the race in 1988, can enjoy a second success in the Ladbrokes’ Irish Grand National with Prince Erik at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Previewing the contest is complicated by virtue of the fact that the long-time ante-post favourite, Beautiful Sound, is second reserve and it remains to be seen if he will get in. Clearly, it’s a ridiculous situation, but more about that at another time.

In any case, no matter what the final line-up, the grey Prince Erik is capable of a big run. He’s been performing well over trips short of his best this season, warming up for this when beating Montan by a neck over two and a half miles at Naas last month.