Coudray tops Fairyhouse field

Le Coudray heads the 39 entries remaining in the €250,000 Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National following today’s forfeit stage.

The Christy Roche-trained Le Coudray, the likely top weight on 12st, is one of five JP McManus-owned horses still engaged for the Easter Monday feature at Fairyhouse.

The veteran Alexander Banquet, whose last win came in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown in 2002, also stands his ground.

Numbersixvalverde figures prominently with most firms in the betting and trainer Martin Brassil is looking forward to the three-mile-five-furlong stamina test.

He said: “I’m hoping the weather won’t improve and the odd shower of rain is around the place for the next few days as my lad loves soft ground.

“He hasn’t run further than three miles but I think this longer trip will bring out the best in him as he likes a real test.”

The going at Fairyhouse is soft to heavy, heavy in places, according to manager Dick Sheil.

He said: “We had no overnight rain on Tuesday and the forecast over the next few days is for sunshine and showers.”

Paddy Power’s Irish Grand National betting: 8-1 Numbersixvalverde, Point Barrow, 10-1 Kymandjen, What Odds, Kadoun, 12-1 Jack High, Jaquiuolle, Marcus Du Berlais, 14-1 Colnel Rayburn, 16-1 Ansar, Mullacash, Native Jack, Nil Desperandum, 20-1 bar.