McManus has stronghand in Irish National

JP McManus has a strong hand in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National with ante-post 8-1 favourite Groody Hill set to be joined by his Cheltenham Festival winner Alfie Sherrin and Pertemps Final runner-up Catch Me at Fairyhouse on April 9.

Groody Hill, who will carry 10st 9lb, is trained by Christy Roche and won three in a row before Christmas, finishing up with a third-place finish in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown.

The 69 entries include last year’s winner Organisedconfusion and top-weight Seabass, who are both likely to run in the Aintree equivalent. McManus last landed the race in 2007 with Butler’s Cabin.