Elliott and Gigginstown launch all-out attack on Irish National again

The numbers game for Monday’s BoyleSports Irish Grand National came into sharp perspective following the final declaration stage on Friday for Ireland’s richest chase, with Gordon Elliott responsible for 13 of the 30 declared runners and Gigginstown House Stud accounting for one third of the field, eight of them trained by Elliott.

Elliott’s squad represents his biggest challenge for a first win in the event, while Gigginstown, who ran 13 in the race a year ago, will be attempting to land the big prize for the fourth time following Hear The Echo (2008) Thunder And Roses (2015) and Rogue Angel (2016).

The Mouse Morris-trained Thunder And Roses, who finished fourth 12 months ago, will again be in the line-up.

Elliott’s Bless The Wings, runner-up in 2016 and again last year, is again declared. “We toyed with the idea of keeping him for the Randox Health Grand National but decided to give him another shot at Monday’s race because he's run very well in it in the past, “ said the trainer.

Brian Hughes has been booked to ride the 13-year-old, who will be the oldest horse in the line-up. Two of Elliott’s runners, Outlander and Jetstream Jack, will wear blinkers for the first time.

Like Elliott, Willie Mullins has yet to train an Irish National winner and he runs four in his bid to land the prize. David Mullins continues his association with Bellshill, on whom he won the Bobbyjo Chase over the course last month, while Paul Townend again partners Leinster National winner Pairofbrowneyes.

Bellshill and Pairofbrowneyes are 7-1 co-favourites along with the Pat Kelly-trained Mall Dini with the race sponsors, who have cut another of the Mullins team, Isleofhopendreams, to 10-1 (from 16). The novice Kemboy, the mount of Bryan Cooper, completes the Mullins quartet.

Champion jockey-elect Davy Russell rides Dounikos for Elliott and Gigginstown as he bids for a first win in the race.

There are three reserves – Scoir Mear (31), Rogue Angel (32) and Close Shave (33) . If any of the 30 declared runners are taken out of the race by 10am on Sunday they will be replaced by reserves in order of priority. No reserves will be allowed to run after that time.

Mullins and Elliott in Cup monopoly

The Mulllins-Elliott domination of Irish jumping is reflected in the line-up for the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup with the two trainers accounting for all nine declared for the 2m4f contest.

Mullins, who has yet to to win the novice event, will be represented by Al Boum Photo, Invitation Only, Saturnas, Montalbano and Up For Review, while Elliott, who was successful with Realt Mor in 2013, will be represented by Cheltenham Festival winners Shattered Love and The Storyteller, Tombstone and Tycoon Prince.

Laurina, impressive winner of the Grade 2 Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, will face 11 rivals in the Grade 1 Mares Novice Hurdle on Sunday.

The ground at Fairyhouse on Friday was described as soft to heavy, heavy in places. The forecast is for the weather to remain unsettled with heavy rain expected on Sunday night.

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