Commanders in Irish National frame

Four Commanders is set to tackle the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on April 9.

Only a six-year-old, he is a brother to Gold Cup winner Kicking King and finished a close third in the four-mile National Hunt Chase last week.

Trainer Mouse Morris feels he benefited greatly from racing on decent ground for the first time this season and hopes he can creep in towards to foot of the weights for the Easter Monday showpiece.

“If he’s OK, and he is so far, he’ll probably get an entry in the Irish National,” said Morris.

“He went up 2lb so he’ll be knocking on the door to get in but he wouldn’t be guaranteed.

“If he didn’t get in, I’m not sure if we’d think about the Scottish National.

“He’s a different horse on better ground so we knew he was good as he’d been running well on bad ground.

“The Scottish National would be an option but it’s not at the top of my head.

“He’s only six so hopefully we’ll be thinking of Aintree in the future.”