THERE are 13 Irish-trained horses among the 40 who line up for today’s Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree. There were six Irish-trained winners of the £1 million race between 1999 and 2007 but none since then.

The going on the National course was good to soft yesterday and some rain was expected overnight.

We asked some racing and sporting personalities for their big-race selections.

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NOEL MEADE

Trainer

Of the Irish runners, I like Ruby’s mount Sir Des Champs. He has a lot of ability if he is back to his best, he looks well in at the weights and the distance should suit him. But the two English horses I would have ahead of him are Holywell and Silviniaco Conti. Holywell is not that big but these days you are better off with a quick jumper rather than one who clears the fences with yards to spare. Silviniaco Conti is a class horse who shapes as if he will stay the trip. I don’t have a runner this year but one day I would love to run Wounded Warrior in the National.

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KATIE WALSH Jockey The breeze-up sales are keeping me busy at the moment but I was delighted to get the call to ride Ballycasey in the National. I’m still an ambassador for Aintree and will be involved in a few other events at the meeting. Ballycasey has been knocking around for a good while, he’s a sound jumper and everyone knows his form. He was going well enough when he was brought down at the Canal Turn last year. Whatever beats Many Clouds will win. It was more of an afterthought to run Many Clouds in the race last year and his preparation has been much better this time.

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AIDAN McGARRY

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Morning Assembly was a high class novice and Pat Fahy has brought him back from injury to run some really good races this season. He ran a cracker at Cheltenham, has a lovely weight and the test of stamina will really suit him, along with any rain that might fall.

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JOHNNY LEVINS Trainer Many Clouds has been there and done it. In my opinion he has had a better preparation this year. He has the right combination of trainer and jockey. It’s great for Leighton Aspell. Whatever beats Many Clouds will win.

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ROBBIE McNAMARA

Columnist

I’d like to see Pat Fahy win it. He’s done a great job nursing Morning Assembly back from injury. He’s a very classy horse with the right man [Davy Russell] on his back.

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DEREK O’CONNOR

Jockey

I like Gilgamboa. I know him from going into Enda’s and you know every horse that Enda sends there will jump around. He’s a fantastic jumper and a Grade 1 winner as a novice. The soft ground, jumping and stamina, it will all suit him. He’s the one I’d like to ride.

?JOHN McINTYRE Sports Editor I think Many Clouds has the best chance of emulating the feat of Red Rum all those years ago. He is only carrying 1lb more than last year and missed out on the Gold Cup so he is coming into the race a fresher horse. The Druids Nephew was another that was tanking along nicely last year before coming to grief and could be one to keep an eye on. Of the Irish runners, it would be wonderful to see Rule The World get a good run.

AINTREE REPORTS >>A30-31

BIG-RACE PREVIEWS >>B29-31

GRAND NATIONAL CARD >>B32-33