Mullins and Geraghty bid to break Irish National duck
Leading jockey Barry Geraghty has also never tasted Irish Grand National glory and he hopes this might be his year.
He said: “I’ve ridden in the race about 15 or 16 times and never won it.
“I’ve probably ridden about five or six favourites. I think fifth or sixth is about as good as I’ve got, it’s a race that always eluded me.
“My brother Ross won the race on The Bunny Boiler (2002) and he’s never shy about reminding me when he comes back from the States.
“I don’t have standout mount in the race at the moment.”
Don Cossack heads the weights after 69 horses were entered for the event.
Gordon Elliott’s talented chaser finished second behind Holywell in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree and will have to concede weight all round if he lines up at Fairyhouse in a fortnight’s time.
Recent winner Bog Warrior, who like Don Cossack carries the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, is next in the list on 11st 8lb, along with Saturday’s Crabbie’s Grand National third Double Seven, trained by Martin Brassil.
There are 11 British-trained contenders including Paul Webber’s Cantlow, Jonjo O’Neill’s Shutthefrontdoor and Richard Lee’s Mountainous.
Jim Dreaper has both Goonyella and Los Amigos in contention.
Goonyella was among the reserves for the Aintree National but did not make the final field.
Dreaper said: “Both are intended runners at this stage, we think that both horses are well and both would be helped by soft ground.
“It could be for luck (that Goonyellla missed the cut at Aintree), it means that we can go to Fairyhouse a relatively fresh horse.
“Los Amigos is in good form, we know that he stays three miles well and we are hopeful that he will get three miles and five (furlongs).
“Just because he stayed three miles it doesn’t always follow that they will stay three and a half, but we are hopeful that this fellow will.”
Boylesports Irish Grand National, sponsors bet: 10-1 Cause Of Causes, 12-1 Tammys Hill, 12-1 Daring Article, 14-1 The Westener Boy, 14-1 Living Next Door, 14-1 Home Farm, 14-1 Gallant Oscar, 14-1 Shutthefrontdoor, 14-1 Suntiep, 16-1 Spring Heeled, 16-1 Double Seven, 16-1 Goonyella, 16-1 Mullaghanoe River, 16-1 Pass The Hat, 16-1 Pendra, 20-1 bar.
Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls will make a decision later this week on whether to let Tidal Bay turn out quickly for the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday.
The popular veteran only made it as far as the eighth fence in the Crabbie’s Grand National at the weekend, unseating Sam Twiston-Davies after being badly hampered by the fall of Golan Way at the Canal Turn.
Tidal Bay galloped on riderless for the rest of the first circuit, virtually taking out the front-running Across The Bay after the water jump, before being caught by handlers.
The 13-year-old heads the weights for the Ayr feature, and Nicholls is considering letting him take his chance.
He said: “He cantered as normal this morning and we’ll make a decision later in the week about whether to let him run at Ayr.”
Nicholls confirmed Sam Winner, second in the weights behind Tidal Bay, an intended runner in the big race.
The Nicholls-trained pair head 59 confirmations, with the Ditcheat maestro also responsible for Poungach further down the list.
Harry Fry’s Mendip Express and the Scottish-trained Green Flag, under the tutelage of Lucinda Russell, are both prominent in ante-post lists.
Last year’s winner Godsmejudge could return to defend his crown, but has been pulled up on his last two starts.
Other leading contenders include Philip Hobbs’ Roalco De Farges, Russell’s Lie Forrit, David Pipe’s Edmund Kean and Rigadin De Beauchene from Venetia Williams’ yard.
Champion trainer Nicky Henderson has Hadrian’s Approach and Roberto Goldback in the mix.
My Tent Or Yours is set to take his chance in the QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr on Saturday.
Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old finished runner-up in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and is one of 21 possible runners in the Grade Two limited handicap, in which he must shoulder top weight of 11st 10lb.
Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, said: “He’s been in good form since Cheltenham and Nicky can’t be any happier with him.
“He’s got a fair bit of weight to carry, but we are looking forward to him running if all goes well this week.”
Stablemates Sign Of A Victory and Master Of The Game are also still in the shake-up.
Irish runners are, at this stage, out in full in force, with Willie Mullins having left in Upsie and Midnight Game, while the Gordon Elliott-trained Flaxen Flare is still a possible contender.
Sailors Warn could represent County Tipperary trainer Edward O’Grady, with Northern Irish handler Stuart Crawford responsible for Trucking Along.
Crawford’s compatriot James Lambe still has Bertimont and Silk Hall engaged.
Others of note include Swing Bowler, Clever Cookie, Cockney Sparrow, Montbazon and the John Ferguson-trained duo of Cotton Mill and Purple Bay.
