“THE Irish Grand National on Easter Monday is not just a sporting event, it’s a cultural event - it’s tradition,” were the words of John Sheridan, General Manager at Fairyhouse Racecourse as the final touches were being made to this year’s BoyleSports Irish Grand National Festival.

“Where’s Willie?” some wag shouted as the rain that was needed two weeks ago threatened to spoil the morning at the track for those riding out.

Among the trainers to work some likely Irish National contenders were Gordon Elliott, Gavin Cromwell, Tom Gibney, Ian Donoghue, Emmet Mullins and John McConnell.

“We are trying to improve the race day experience for everyone, as much off the track as on the track, there’s lots of entertainment planned for each of the three days,” John Sheridan continued. “It should be a really hot race, we have 68 entries still in and seven from the UK and a few UK entries in the other Grade 1s and it looks like they will take part, it adds a bit of spice to it.

“We have free shuttle buses and group discounts, 15% if you buy six or more admission tickets. Pretty much all the entertainment is from around the Meath area.

“The key is what happens on the track - we get great horses here, great competition. The key focus is the brilliant racing, complimentary then to the racing is a huge variery of entertainment across all three days where we have something for everyone to enjoy. Fairyhouse Easter Festival is a festival for all and as all our marketing says, It’s Tradition,” he added.

Likely runners

Gordon Elliott was one of the trainers who worked some of their likely runners on the track, headed by Better Days Ahead, and he will be doing his best to hold on to his lead over Willie Mullins in the trainers’ title.

“We’ve had the season of all seasons, Cheltenham wasn’t as good as we’d have liked, but that’s sport.

“We’ll probably have runners in most races, it’s been the plan all year - Better Days Ahead - he’s in very good form. I’d like to see the ground stay as is, I don’t like to see it get too quick, he definitely would like a bit of soft. He’s probably going to have top weight, which is not ideal. I might have five or six runners.

“Search For Glory, the better the ground, the better he is, he can’t really handle soft ground. He’s probably the right end of the handicap, but I think the English horses are going to be very dangerous, if you look at their records in handicaps over the last years.”

Shecouldbeanything also worked in the track. “She runs her race every time, where she’s good enough to win an Irish National. I wouldn’t be sure. If she could run into a place. it would be great. Wingmen could take his chance, but the trip would be a worry. I’d need to have first and second and Willie not to be in the first four - that’s not going to happen,” he added on the title battle.

Gavin Cromwell, while admitting his Irish National record is “absolutely brutal” has some big decisions with his National entries, but Stumpstown “is most definitely going to come, we’ll be keeping an eye on the ground”.

He expects plenty of runners over the three days, with Hello Neighbour one of his best chances in the big RYBO Handicap Hurdle on the Saturday.

John McConnell has Hartur D’arc and Velvet Elvis engaged in the National and feels the former “could be competitive off his mark”.

Ground to suit

Clerk of the course Brian Hamilton reported on Tuesday, “It’s looking good, the ground is soft on both tracks, a little bit of yielding this morning, but that rain, it’s likely soft all the way through.

“We have a fresh track on the chase track, we had ground saved for that, and pretty much fresh ground for the hurdle track. It’s in a good place. The forecast is fairly neutral.”

THE entries for the two Grade 1s on the Sunday look set to add two very competitive events. In the Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup, Gordon Elliott reported: “Kala Conti will run. She didn’t jump well enough in Sandown, the ground was very soft and the fences big. Jacob’s Ladder won in Navan, he’ll run and I could run Western Fold in it, he didn’t get home in Cheltenham, back to two mile five round here, he just doesn’t get three miles in open company.”

For the Grade 1 Irish EBF Honeysuckle Mares Novice, Elliott has a choice with Mange Tout a possible: “I’d love to run her getting all the allowances, but I have to talk to Brian and the team, there’s a chance she could to go Aintree. Oldschool Outlaw ran very well in Cheltenham, she got a bit far back and the ground wasn’t soft enough, on ground like this, she could be dangerous.” He added: “There won’t be many races that we won’t have a runner in. It’s a great meeting, a great racecourse.”

Former National-winning rider Robbie Power also reported the de Bromhead challenger Echoing Silence a likely runner.

The Knockeen team are hoping for softer conditions to allow The Big Westerner to run in the WillowWarm Gold Cup, “connections would love to come if the ground is soft”.

BOYLESPORTS’ Brian O’Keeffe was eagerly looking forward to the big race “if half those English runners show up, we’ll be very happy.”

“One catching the eye of the traders a bit is Waterford Whispers, quite unexposed and improving. Folly Master, I imagine will go off shorter than 25/1, it’s been a plan for this horse, we were in Tom Dreaper’s yard last week, and they quietly fancy this one.

“He’d be my €5 each-way. Tom would be the third generation of the family to win it.”

IRISH National Hunt handicapper Shay Quinn was directing attention to lightly-raced novices for his National choice.

“Holloway Queen was interesting, we’ve not had a mare win since 2013, but the trickiest one was probably The Jukebox Kid, a young improving novice, only four runs over fences, he’s 2lb higher than his English mark.

“Looking at 10st 13lb or less, eight of the last 10 were novices, C’est Ta Chance very interesting, Soldier In Milan, I’ve thought would be a National horse, looks like he’s screaming out for a step up in trip. I do like Brave Fortune.” There was enthusiasm for the Dreaper horse Folly Master, who he was hopeful of making the cut.

His three against the field were Soldier In Milan, The Jukebox Kid and Brave Fortune.

FOLLOWING on from the Winter Festival and continuing for the Easter Festival, racegoers scan a QR code and can have a go at choosing who they think is the best turned out horse, with hopefully some sun on their backs in each race.

AT the Festival launch, Sharon Mohan, of Ardán Collective, was looking forward to The Bellinter House Hotel & Spa Most Stylish Person.

The judge for the day, Michelle Regazzoli Stone, aka Mrs Make Up is “famlilar with the whole racing scene”, so ladies, get the fashion twists out from the spring wardrobe! The most stylish racegoer will capture the spirit of modern race day fashion.

Fashion enthusiasts will win the exclusive top prize - a unique VIP experience at Bellinter House Hotel & Spa in Navan, part of Irish hospitality group Ardán Collective.

The winner and their guest will enjoy a two-night stay in the luxurious Boyne Valley Suite. Second prize includes a two-night B&B stay at The Exhibitionist, Ardán Collective’s boutique hotel in Kensington, London.

Third prize is a luxurious Private Pod experience at Bellinter House Hotel & Spa’s new Thermal Suite. Fashionistas are asked to register on the race day in the champagne marquee.

AWAY from the racing and into the evening, there is plenty of music to keep up a celebratory mood and it’s all based on popular local bands and acts.

On Saturday, before racing in the enclosure, trad musician Nicole Lonergan will provide the atmosphere. DJ Lance West is in action, while after racing – hugely popular The Highstool Prophets do their stuff. On Sunday, the talented Ten Strings Music who play Irish Trad music, are the early goers in the enclosure and in the festival marquee during racing. After racing, another popular band Wolfhound provide more entertainment.

On Easter Monday before racing, the Navan Silver Band kick things off before acoustic guitar act The Wingmen take to the stage in festival marquee. The Sandmen will get the crowd going, after racing in the festival marquee.

And, after racing on The Final Fence Marquee stage will be Out On Bale, one of the rising young groups in Co Meath.