Elliott dominates as Irish Grand National attracts 124 entries

Gordon Elliott's cherished ambition to win the BoyleSports Irish Grand National is reflected in the entries for the €500,000 event – Ireland's most valuable jumps prize – with the trainer accounting for 28 of the 124 nominations.

Entries and weights for the contest at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday were published on Tuesday and, with a first prize of €270,000, victory for one of Elliott's team would boost his chances of holding off Willie Mullins in the race for the trainers' championship.

A maximum of 30 horses can line up in the race and Elliott has 11 of the top 30 in the weights, headed by Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Outlander on 11st 10lb.

The trainer said: "We've never had an Irish National winner, although we went close with Bless The Wings, who was pipped last year. Fairyhouse is close to home and it's a race I'd dearly love to win, especially this year because of the title race.

"Many of our entries, including Outlander, Empire Of Dirt, Don Poli, Noble Endeavor and Cause Of Causes, will be in action at Cheltenham. We'll see how things go but the plan will be to run as many as we can in the Irish National."

The number of entries is notably up from last year's total of 93, and the number of British-trained entries has risen to 24 from 11 last year.

Speaking at a media conference at trainer Mouse Morris's yard on Tuesday, Leon Blanche of BoyleSports said: "With the significant increase in prize-money we're delighted to see so many British entries in what looks set to be the best ever BoyleSports Irish Grand National."

BoyleSports make The Crafty Butcher, Noble Endeavor and Mall Dini 10-1 co-favourites. The Crafty Butcher, who is number 90 in the list and unlikely to get a run, is one of 14 entries made by Mullins, who like his title rival Elliott has yet to train a winner of the race.

Morris, who won the race with Rogue Angel a year ago, before completing a memorable National double with Rule The World at Aintree 19 days later, said: "Rogue Angel will probably run in the Randox Health Grand National this year. The Fairyhouse race is nine days later and it's possible he might run there too.

"Thunder And Roses won the Irish National two years ago and seems to run his best races at Fairyhouse, so he'll probably take his chance."

Alpha Des Obeaux, who runs in the RSA Chase next week, is number 30 in the list and Morris added: "He's got 10st 7lb and that looks attractive. Novices have a good record in the race, but let's see how he gets on at Cheltenham first."

BoylseSports Irish Grand National entries