Horse Racing: Commanche raid on Fairyhouse depends on ground

Connections of Commanche Court are hoping to run the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

But the Ted Walsh-trained gelding’s participation in the three mile, five furlong contest, which he won two years ago, hinges on the ground.

Commanche Court has run his best races on a decent surface and the going at Fairyhouse is currently described as yielding to soft, yielding in places.

‘‘The intention is to run. It depends on the ground,’’ the trainer’s daughter Jennifer said.

‘‘He’ll walk the track on Thursday afternoon and he’ll make his decision then.

‘‘The horse has been great since Cheltenham not a bother on him.’’

Paddy Power bookmakers have installed Commanche Court as their 11-2 favourite for the Fairyhouse feature with last year’s second Rathbawn Prince next on 8-1, while Marstons Pedigree Midlands Grand National winner The Bunny Boiler is a 14-1 chance.