Fitzgerald lands plum National ride

Mick Fitzgerald has been booked to partner Powers Whisky Irish Grand National favourite Dun Doire by trainer Tony Martin.

The seven-year-old was partnered to victory in the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase by Ruby Walsh who has been confirmed for top weight Our Ben.

With Cheltenham Gold Cup third Forget The Past not being declared by trainer Michael O’Brien after failing to please in a final piece of work the weights have risen 14lb, Our Ben will now carry top weight of 11st 12lb.

Fitzgerald will be partnering Dun Doire for the first time but he has teamed up with Martin for big race successes in the past courtesy of Xenophon who won the Pierse Hurdle and Coral Cup in 2003.

“We were hoping Ruby would be available,” said Martin, "but it’s great to have Mick instead.

“The horse is in good order and while I’d have preferred it if the weights had not gone up so much it could have been worse.”

Dun Doire has won six successive handicaps beginning his winning streak off a mark of 79, he will be racing off 137 on Monday.

“11st 6lb is fair enough,” Martin told the Racing Post.

“And if the ground doesn’t dry out too much over the weekend Dun Doire should run a good race.”