Elliott and Gigginstown dominate Irish National field

Gigginstown House Stud will be represented by a staggering 14 of the 30 runners in the €500,000 BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday, with trainer Gordon Elliott ten-handed as he bids to wrest the trainers' title from Willie Mullins.

Gigginstown own eight of Elliott's team – Lord Scoundrel, who is top weight with 11st 7lb, Clarcam, Tiger Roll, Roi Des Francs, The Game Changer, Tell Us More, Dedigout and General Principle.

Elliott's squad is completed by Noble Endeavor and Bless The Wings, while Thunder And Roses, Rogue Angel, Wounded Warrior, Alpha Des Obeaux, Measureofmydreams and First Lieutenant are Gigginstown's other runners.

Successful with Thunder And Roses in 2015 and Rogue Angel 12 months ago, Gigginstown will be bidding for a hat-trick in the race and a fourth victory in all having first won it with Hear The Echo in 2008

Gigginstown spokesman Eddie O'Leary said on Friday: "Bryan Cooper will be wearing our first colours on General Principle and Lisa O'Neill, who rides Lord Scoundrel, will wear a blue cap - our lucky cap. Horse Racing Ireland will be selecting the other caps, so we'll see what they come up with."

Mullins, who like Elliott has yet to train an Irish Grand National winner, will be represented by Haymount, the mount of Ruby Walsh, Arbre De Vie and Sambremont.

Shutthefrontdoor, who landed the prize in 2014, and Fletchers Flyer are the two British-trained contenders. JP McManus, owner of Shutthefrontdoor, will also be represented by Minella Foru, the mount of Barry Geraghty, and Double Seven in his quest for a fifth win in the race.

McManus also owns the three reserves for the race - Oscar Knight, Mystical Knight and Another Hero. A reserve will be eligible to run only if a non-runner is notified to the Turf Club non-runner line by 10am on Sunday.

The domination of Irish jump racing by Gigginstown, McManus, Mullins and Elliott has been a theme of the season, with many observers concerned at the impact of so many eggs in so few baskets on the overall health of the sport.

While notable, Elliott's ten is not even the most he has saddled in one race this season, as he ran 11 in the Troytown in November.

Irish Grand National card

GETTING GIGGY WITH IT

This season in the 19 Irish handicap chases and handicap hurdles worth at least €29,250 to the winner, there have been 315 runners. The top ten owners are:

Gigginstown 52 (16.5%)

JP McManus 42 (13%)

Mrs P Sloan 10 (3%)

C Jones 8 (2.5%)

John Patrick Ryan 8 (2.5%)

Mrs S Ricci 7 (2.25%)

R Brookhouse 5 (1.5%)

Dr R Lambe 5 (1.5%)

Alan and Ann Potts 4 (1.25%)

Patricia Hunt 4 (1.25%)

Gigginstown have won seven of the 19 (37%); JP McManus has won two of the 19 (10.5%)