A TOTAL of 23 Irish-trained horses are among the 59 entries for the Randox Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree on the eve of the Grand National.

Run over two miles and five furlongs over the National fences, the Topham has been won by Willie Mullins-trained runners three times in the past six runnings of the race. Last year Mullins won it with Gentleman De Mee, who defeated Ian Donoghue’s Lisnamult Lad by under a length.

Both horses are again engaged, and Mullins has also entered Ile Atlantique and O’Moore Park.

The early 8/1 favourite is the Dan Skelton-trained Madara, so impressive in the Plate at Cheltenham last week but raised 10lb for that success.

Tom George has his fingers crossed a wind operation can see Il Est Francais return to former glories when he makes a return in the Topham.

The highly talented eight-year-old has disappointed on both of his runs this season since he switched from the care of George’s son, Noel, and Amanda Zetterholm to the Gloucestershire yard.

He stopped quickly and was pulled up sharply in the 1965 Chase at Ascot in November, before meeting a similar fate in the King George at Kempton.

He has not been seen since and George hopes for a change in fortunes now that the 10-time winner has had the procedure and a break from the racecourse.

George said: “He’s had a wind operation since the King George. He’s had a day out at Didmarton point to point, had a school around there.

“He’s in good form and we’re really happy with him. He’s in good shape and we’ll just have to wait and see if the wind operation makes any difference to him or not.

“It’s not a problem (dropping in trip), he’s got plenty of pace, that’s not an issue. He’s just got to start seeing his races out. That’s the problem.

“We’ve always thought he’s had a preference for going right-handed, but at the end of the day he has run well left-handed and I don’t think that is the issue at the moment. The issue is we’ve just got to get him to see his races out and let’s hope the wind operation is a help.

“We’re just taking it day by day. Until we see him showing some of his old form again, there’s no point making any more plans. We’re just taking it one step at a time.”

Foxhunter

There are seven Irish-trained entries for the Foxhunter Chase over the same course and distance a day earlier.

This race is likely to see a rematch between last week’s Cheltenham 1-2 of Barton Snow and Its On The Line. The latter won at Aintree in 2024 but skipped the meeting last year in favour of Punchestown.

Barton Snow is trained in nearby Cheshire by Joe O’Shea who has won the Aintree Foxhunters twice in recent years with Cousin Pascal and Gracchus De Balme.