Beaten Aintree stars to headline strong Gigginstown Irish Grand National team

Gigginstown House Stud are set to send a team of significant quality and quantity to Monday's BoyleSports Irish Grand National (5.00), as beaten Aintree representatives Run Wild Fred, Death Duty and Samcro are readied for a quick reappearance.

Racing manager Eddie O'Leary expects seven or eight runners to carry the famous maroon and white silks in this year's €500,000 prize, including Farclas, who is disputing favouritism with Gaillard Du Mesnil after bypassing a tilt at the Randox Grand National.

Last year's runner-up Run Wild Fred, who was sent off 8-1 for the Aintree highlight after a late gamble, and Punchestown Grand National Trial winner Death Duty both exited at the Canal Turn on the first circuit last Saturday, while Samcro finished tailed off in 11th after travelling well for a long way.

BoyleSports Irish Grand National: full card and betting

Gigginstown had just four runners in the Easter feature last year but were represented by 13 runners in the 2017 running, ten in 2018 when winning the race for a fourth time with General Principle and 12 a year later.

"Hopefully we could have seven or eight runners," O'Leary told the Racing Post ahead of Wednesday's forfeit stage.

He said: "We kept Farclas for this race. He had the option of heading to Aintree but this is a very special race and we'd like to have a decent chance of winning it.

Farclas (grey): has been targeted with this race specifically in mind having been taken out of the Randox Grand NationalCredit: Patrick McCann

"Death Duty and Run Wild Fred came down early at Aintree so all being well they'll take their chance at Fairyhouse. They seem to have come out of it fine.

"I'm hoping that Samcro will be able to come back for this too as I think that run will bring him on. We were fancying him because a healthy Samcro shouldn't be called the names he's been called. He's obviously had his health issues before.

"Diol Ker was very good last time when winning the Leinster National. We're praying for rain for him because he's ground-dependent.

"I'd rather run Beacon Edge in the Irish Grand National than in a Grade 1 at Punchestown but he was a little sick after Cheltenham and I don't know if he'll be back in time.

"Hardline is in the mix and we'd like Lieutenant Command to get in. Delta Work and Coko Beach had hard races at Aintree and it looks like they're finished for the season."

Pressed on who might be the main candidate for Gigginstown in this year's race, having won three of the last six runnings, O'Leary said: "If we got soft ground I think Diol Ker could run well but we'll have to see."

Corach Rambler and Snow Leopardess taken out of contention

Lucinda Russell revealed on Tuesday that impressive Ultima scorer Corach Rambler, who was as short as 12-1 for the Irish Grand National, will not take up his engagement at Fairyhouse.

She explained: "We've taken him out of the race and the plan is now to target the bet365 Gold Cup. Hopefully that should suit him really well."

Corach Rambler (purple): will not run at FairyhouseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Charlie Longsdon has also ruled out a trip to the Meath venue for Snow Leopardess, who was pulled up by Aidan Coleman before heading out on the final circuit at Aintree last weekend.

Longsdon said: "The owner was initially keen to go but the ground would have been similar to Aintree so she won't be travelling. She's absolutely fine but we need soft ground. She's been a legend and doesn't owe us anything."

Fairyhouse general manager Peter Roe is content with the state of the ground as the build-up continues ahead of the track's marquee three-day festival.

Speaking just after lunchtime on Tuesday, Roe said: "We called it good to yielding this morning. We've just turned off the taps a couple of hours ago and it's raining nicely. We're expecting somewhere between eight and ten millimetres of rain today.

"In the morning we'll monitor where we are. It's mainly dry after some heavy showers today. Before the rain came we were good to yielding so I'm happy with where we are."

BoyleSports Irish Grand National (5.00 Monday)

BoyleSports: 8 Gaillard Du Mesnil, 10 Farclas, Max Flamingo, 12 School Boy Hours, Full Time Score, Death Duty, 14 Ontheropes, Enjoy D'Allen, 16 Diol Ker, Screaming Colours, Mount Ida, Ronald Pump, Early Doors, 20 bar

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