Rebecca Curtis’ Cheltenham Festival winner Haiti Couleurs is clear favourite with the sponsors after a maximum field of 30 were declared for Monday’s Boylesports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
The eight-year-old has won three of his four outings over fences, with the novice firing Curtis back into the big time in the National Hunt Chase.
With his stamina assured and a win on heavy ground on his record, there are a lot of positives as he tries to take the prize back to Wales and he has been installed as the 5-1 market leader.
He is one of only three runners from the UK, with Jonjo and A J O’Neill providing the other two.
Johnnywho looked sure to justify favouritism in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham before a mistake at the last and Hasthing, who would have been placed behind Haiti Couleurs at the Festival but for falling at the final fence, was brought down early on in the Scottish National last week.
Heading the weights is Gordon Elliott’s Better Days Ahead, who has been largely campaigning in Grade One company this season.
Elliott also runs Duffle Coat, Favori De Champdou, Search For Glory, Shecouldbeanything, Stuzzikini and Tullybeg.
Gavin Cromwell is also set to be represented by seven hopefuls. Bioluminescence, Malina Girl, Yeah Man, Now Is The Hour, Mint Boy, Final Orders and last-in Noble Birth will bid to give him a first win in the race.
Willie Mullins runs just Quai De Bourbon and Sa Majeste.
Ted Walsh’s veteran Any Second Now runs and the trainer told Boylesports: “He’s in great nick and I think he’ll run a big race. He’s as good as he was this time last year, he doesn’t know he’s 13.
“He’s been trained with the race in mind and he had nice runs at Fairyhouse and Naas the last time. Mark Walsh has looked after him well and he’s going to ride him again. He could have ridden a couple of others, so he must think he has a squeak.
“If he runs well, I’d be delighted, if he wins, I’ll be over the moon. It’s a great race and it would be lovely to have another winner at this stage.”
Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for the sponsors, added: “The betting for the Boylesports Irish Grand National is as temperamental as the weather at the moment and while Haiti Couleurs looks set to head to post as favourite, plenty of mudlarks are seeing strong support.
“The McManus owned-duo Bioluminescence and Any Second Now are chief among them and what a fairytale it would be if the latter got his head in front at the age of 13!”