'He has been kept fresh for this and can outrun generous odds' - Scott Burton answers the big questions on Easter Monday

What's the big story?

The traditional Easter Monday highlight is the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse (5.00), where 30 horses line up in a bid to join the names of Arkle and Desert Orchid on the roll of honour, alongside Bobbyjo, Numbersixvalverde and I Am Maximus, all of whom went on to win the Aintree Grand National the following year.

In an era when Irish trainers have gained a decisive upper hand in winning Britain's major jumps prizes, Haiti Couleurs for Rebecca Curtis and the O'Neill team's Johnnywho offer a rare chance for the visitors to win one against the head, in rugby parlance.

For the home defence, Gavin Cromwell has dominated the major staying chases in Ireland this season and Now Is The Hour and Bioluminescence head his squad of seven, the same number of runners as represents Gordon Elliott.

Tom Gibney has won two of the last 12 runnings and relies on Kinturk Kalanisi, while 2022 hero Lord Lariat bids to win back his crown for another dual-winning trainer, Dermot McLoughlin.

Away from Fairyhouse, the race to be Britain's champion trainer is focused on the £100,000 BetGoodwin Sussex Champion Chase Handicap Chase (2.35).

What's the bet in the Irish Grand National?

Although Willie Mullins runs only two, there is a lot to like about Quai De Bourbon, who was still very much in the argument when unseating Patrick Mullins in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, then suffered even worse luck at Aintree when brought down by stablemate Dancing City.

Salvador Ziggy (right) may be skinny odds when making his chase debut on Sunday

Another Choice (left) can put up a bold show at a big price in the Irish NationalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Lack of experience in big-field handicaps might be a slight concern, whereas in the case of Another Choice, both the hustle and bustle and an extra half-mile seemed to be nothing but a positive when just touched off over course and distance in the Porterstown in December.

Trainer Matthew Smith has kept him fresh for this and, now the eight-year-old has sneaked in at the bottom of the weights, Sean O'Keeffe can look forward to Another Choice outrunning his generous odds.

Another Choice17:00 Fairyhouse

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Jky: Sean O'Keeffe Tnr: Matthew J Smith

Who holds the title advantage at Plumpton?

Dan Skelton is represented in six of the seven races at Plumpton, as opposed to Willie Mullins having a runner in just three.

The Sussex Champion Chase (2.35) is the race which could have the biggest influence on the championship, with the Mullins-trained Westport Cove facing Asta La Pasta for Skelton, and the £51,810 winner's prize.

The hat-trick chasing Lady Jago looks the most obvious chance of Skelton adding to his tally, as she faces just three rivals in the 3m1f handicap chase (4.19).

What's the best bet of the day?

Okeechobee won't find any opponent with the talent of Dubai Honour in his way as was the case in the Kempton's 2024 Magnolia Stakes (2.55), but he is again making his seasonal debut for Harry Charlton and, having made only one start since, could be vulnerable to one of those who chased home Dancing Gemini in the Doncaster Mile three weeks ago.

On that occasion Botanical arguably paid for his early efforts close home and is taken to reverse form with Checkandchallenge.