Martin faces key decision over Storm run

Tony Martin will wait until later in the week before making a final decision on Saddlers Storm’s participation in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National.

The eight-year-old is unbeaten in his last three starts over fences, completing his hat-trick with a hugely impressive display at Navan earlier this month.

That performance elevated him to clear favourite for next Monday’s Fairyhouse feature but his trainer is also considering the Scottish equivalent and a trip to the Punchestown Festival.

“We’ve not made a final decision where he’s going to run yet,” said Martin.

“There is the Irish National, the Scottish National and also Punchestown to look at, so we’ll make a decision later in the week.

“He’s a big horse who seems to be coming of age now and he’s really improving.

“The ground doesn’t matter a whole lot to him as he’s won in heavy and it wasn’t too bad the last day.

“We’ll give him a little bit of work on Thursday or Friday and if he comes through that all right we’ll probably go to Fairyhouse, but we’ll see.”