Elliott and Mullins out to be a first-time National hero with so much at stake

5.00 Fairyhouse
BoyleSports Irish Grand National | Grade A | 3m5f | 5yo+ | RTE2/ATR

He's trained an Aintree Grand National winner and a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner but Gordon Elliott has yet to land Ireland's most valuable jumps prize.

He will be hoping that changes at Fairyhouse on Monday when he launches his biggest assault on the race with 13 of the 30 runners.

Elliott heads Willie Mullins in the race for the Irish trainers' championship by around €500,000 and Grand National victory would greatly enhance his prospects of securing a first title.

It's a record: Elliott to create history by saddling 13 in Irish National

He came closest to making the Irish National breakthrough two years ago when Bless The Wings was beaten a short head. Now 13 and attempting to become the first horse of that age to succeed since Overshadow in 1953, Bless The Wings also ran second in last year's renewal when beaten 14 lengths by Our Duke.

A faller in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham last month, Bless The Wings will have Brian Hughes on board for the first time.

Speaking on Sunday, Elliott said: "Bless The Wings isn't getting any younger but he's in very good form and has run very well in the race in the past. He's got a nice low weight [9st 12lb] and the testing ground won't be a problem."

Jack Kennedy partners Monbeg Notorious, who has already landed a big handicap this season in the shape of the Thyestes Chase in January and followed up by taking the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan in February.

Elliott said: "Monbeg Notorious is in very good form and he'll love the ground. He's going there with a good chance."

Dounikos, the mount of Davy Russell, who will also be bidding for a first win in the race, performed below expectations when pulled up in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

Elliott said: “You’d be a bit worried about his RSA run and the fact Cheltenham was only a couple of weeks ago. But we’ve been happy with him since he came home and, on his previous form, I’d be giving him a great chance.”

Others on Elliott’s short list are Folsom Blue, who has finished fourth and fifth in past runnings of the event and who is the mount of last year’s winning rider Robbie Power, and Squouateur, who has yet to win over fences.

He said: “Folsom Blue will love the ground and the trip – he won the National Trial at Punchestown over almost the same distance – while Squouateur has plenty of experience and has been placed in two big handicaps – the Paddy Power and the Kim Muir – this season.

“With luck in running he’ll have a good each-way chance off 9st 10lb.”

No ground worries for Bellshill

Willie Mullins’ quest for a first Irish National predates Elliott’s search by many years and Bellshill is prominent among his team of four chasing the prize this time.

Winner of the Bobbyjo Chase over this course in February, Bellshill is again the mount of David Mullins, while Paul Townend, who went close to providing the trainer with a first win in the race when second on Away We Go in 2013, partners Pairofbrowneyes, on whom he won the Leinster National at Gowran Park last month.

Mullins said: “Bellshill’s win in the Bobbyjo was a good prep for this race. He’s in good form and we don’t think the longer trip will be an issue.

“Pairofbrowneyes did the job well at Gowran. He, too, is going up in trip but we don’t see that being a problem and, like Bellshill, he’s shown he handles testing ground.”

Bellshill was penalised 8lb for his Bobbyjo Chase win, while Pairofbrowneyes was given a 9lb penalty for his Gowran success.

Bryan Cooper is booked for the novice Kemboy, who was fourth in the JLT Chase at Cheltenham, while Danny Mullins partners Isleohopendreams, second in the National Trial at Punchestown in February.

Mullins said: “Kemboy lacks experience, having run only three times over fences, but novices have a good record in the race and we’ve always thought he would stay well.

“Isleofhopendreams is 11 but he, too, has run only three times over fences. What we do know about him is that he relishes testing ground and will get the trip.”

Women seeking fourth success

Women riders have been successful in the race on three occasions. Lisa O'Neill, who rides the 2015 winner Thunder And Roses – ridden then by Katie Walsh – and Rachael Blackmore, who partners Arkwrisht, will also be attempting to emulate Ann Ferris, who scored on Bentom Boy in 1984 and Nina Carberry, who won on Organisedconfusion in 2011.

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Outlander, Lord Scoundrel, Tell Us More, Jetstream Jack, General Principle, The Paparrazi Kid, Sutton Manor, Woods Well, with the lowdown on his other runners
Outlander has two ways of running and will need to run somewhere near his best, but he's in good form and we're claiming 7lb to help his chance. Lord Scoundrel hasn't won for a long time but ran okay in the Bobbyjo until unseating and we're trying blinkers on him. Tell Us More has been very disappointing and so has General Principle. The Paparrazi Kid hasn't run for almost a year and is having his first run for us. Sutton Manor and Woods Well are longshots, and understandably, so while Jetstream Jack is having only his second run back following a long absence.

Noel Meade, trainer of Snow Falcon and Moulin A Vent
Snow Falcon rolled in his box and was a bit lame before he was due to run at Cheltenham, but he's been fine since. We toyed between this race and the Ryanair but, as novices have a good record, we decided to let him take his chance. He goes on the ground and hopefully the trip won't be a problem. Moulin A Vent's jumping has been a bit iffy but Jonathan Moore, who rides him, has been getting a good tune out of him at home. We think he'll stay.

Pat Kelly, trainer of Mall Dini
He's been in good form since running second in the Kim Muir last month. He wore blinkers at Cheltenham and we're leaving them on. The trip shouldn't be a problem, but I'd be a lot happier if the ground was better.

Tom Mullins, trainer of Oscar Knight
He's in great form and this race has been the plan for a while, but if they get all the rain that's forecast that would more or less scupper his chances.

Mouse Morris, trainer of Thunder And Roses
He's shown Fairyhouse is his track, having won the race three years ago before running fourth a year ago, so we decided to let him take his chance.

Thunder and Roses and Katie Walsh power on to glory in the 2015 Irish Grand NationalCredit: Caroline Norris

Ross O'Sullivan, trainer of Call It Magic
This race has been the plan for some time and he's in great form, but the ground is a big concern.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Arkwrisht
He's been in good form at home but he'd need to recapture the form he showed when second in the Kerry National to have a realistic chance.

Eoghan O'Grady, trainer of Westerner Point
He's in good form and has a nice low weight. He'll like the ground but the trip is an unknown.

John Ryan, trainer of Kilcarry Bridge
If he could run to the form he showed when second to Road To Respect in Punchestown in October he'd have his chance. He's in super form and I don't see the ground or trip being a problem.

Paul Nolan, trainer of Fine Theatre
He was fine after his run at Clonmel on Thursday so we decided to let him take his chance. He'll like the ground but it's difficult to assess him in terms of trip.

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