With two days before final declarations are made for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National and four days before the starter sends them on their way at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, here is the latest from connections.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Favori De Champdou, Diol Ker, Dunboyne, Frontal Assault, Where It All Began, Cool Survivor, Royal Thief, Farouk D’alene, Run Wild Fred

“Favori De Champdou had some very nice form earlier in the season. He possibly wasn’t at his best last time but has had a nice break since and is in good order. Conditions will suit and hopefully he’ll run well.

“Diol Ker has been struggling for form all season. Plenty of his old form would give him a great chance and he has shown a bit on a couple of occasions this season but ultimately, he’s got plenty to do on recent efforts.

“Dunboyne has pulled up last twice having shaped far better than the final result. He’s left us scratching our heads a little bit. He seems very well and we know the ability is in there.

“Frontal Assault was second to Lord Lariat in 2022. He’s not the most consistent but the last run in Naas was quite encouraging and given his performance in the race a couple of years ago, he’s in with a live each-way shot.

“Where It All Began has made great strides lately and we’re delighted with his last two runs at Punchestown, where he won, and Cheltenham, where he was fourth. Ground suits, trip suits. He ticks plenty of boxes.

“Cool Survivor disappointed in Cheltenham. His previous run in the Leopardstown Chase was quite encouraging but he needs to step up from last time.

“Royal Thief is in a similar boat to Diol Ker. He’d have form going back to make him an interesting contender but it just hasn’t been happening for him this season.

“Farouk D’alene and Run Wild Fred both go to Liverpool, so they won’t be running.”

Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer to Willie Mullins, who saddles Minella Crooner, Nick Rockett and We’llhavewan

“Minella Cocooner was a Grade 1 hurdler who has taken well to fences. It’s going to be a big ask with a lot of weight but he gained a lot of experience in his first handicap last time and has a good profile.

“Nick Rockett is not a big horse but has good Fairyhouse form. He has plenty of weight again but with his profile, is open to improvement.

“We’lllhavewan gets in at the bottom of the weights. He ran a really good race in the Grand National Trial and seems to be improving all the time. With his light weight on that sort of ground he’d have to have a big chance and we’d be hoping he’d pick up some money.

“I don’t think the ground or distance will be a problem for any of them.”

Jonathan Sweeney, trainer of Churchstonewarrior

“The plan is to run. He’ll do a final bit on Saturday morning and if all goes okay, he’ll run. But he seems well and I’m happy with him. My biggest concern would be the heavy ground. He’s probably a better horse on better ground, his best runs have come on it but he’s fit and well and has won on heavy ground around Thurles, so we’ll take our chance.”

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Senior Chief

“He seems in good form and we’re happy with him. We’re looking forward to Monday as he has good form on testing ground. Whether that combined with the trip might be an issue, I don’t know but he seems to stay well.”

Ted Walsh, trainer of Any Second Now

“He’s in good nick. Age is his biggest problem at 12. I know they say Brown Lad did it but he’s no Brown Lad in the first place. And Brown Lad didn’t start until he was seven – I won a bumper on him. This fella is going since he was four. He’s a lot of mileage on the clock.

“He ran all right in Punchestown and came on for the run in the Thyestes but I would have liked to see him pick up a few more on the run-in in Naas last time out. But he’s healthy and well, in good shape. He doesn’t look 12, he doesn’t act 12. I think he’ll run a good race and would be disappointed if he’s not in the first five or six. I won’t be surprised if he’s not in the money but would be over the moon if he won. He is versatile ground-wise bar fast and has won plenty on heavy ground. He’s won a Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse too, so hopefully he will run a good race.”

Tom Gibney, trainer of Intense Raffles

“It’s all good with Intense Raffles. We’re delighted with him. We’re happy with the horse and happy with the forecast. He will certainly have no problem with the ground and we’re hoping he’s still improving as he’s a young horse. We’re looking forward to it.”

Colm Murphy, trainer of Macs Charm

“He’s good and we’re one of the few people in the country praying for more rain. He seems to handle the heavy ground well. We were a little bit disappointed with him in the Leinster National at Naas but he ran well in Gowran Park in the Thyestes before that and that probably took a bit more out of him than we thought. But we’re happy with him now going to Fairyhouse.”

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Yeah Man and Hartur D’arc

“Yeah Man and Hartur D'arc are definitely intended runners. We’re happy with them both an looking forward to the race.

“I don’t think the trip or ground will be a problem for Yeah Man. He stayed very well on the heavy ground when winning at Haydock the last day so conditions should suit.

“I’m not so sure about the trip with Hartur D’Arc, although he did stay well in the Leinster National. But we’ve a good bit further to go in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National so that’s a little bit of an unknown. But he’s going into the race in good form and if he stays, he’s definitely in with a good chance.”

John Flavin, trainer of Street Value

“He’s in good form and he’ll like the ground and he likes Fairyhouse. He was disappointing in the Grand National Trial and the Thyestes so he’d want to buck up his ideas on that! But he won the Porterstown well at Fairyhouse. He’ll probably be a big price but we’ll have to take our chance and the ground is a great thing in his favour. It’s rare you get a BoyleSports Irish Grand National on heavy ground so it’ll suit him anyway, hopefully.”

Pat Fahy, trainer of History Of Fashion

“The horse is well. He was second in the Porterstown at Fairyhouse and if the weights go up and he gets in properly I’d be really delighted. The ground would be the worry of course. He is fine if it’s soft and loose. He just doesn’t like tacky ground. He struggles to jump out of it. So we’re praying for plenty of drying and plenty of rain on the day!

“His distant relation, Height O’Fashion was second to Arkle in the race in 1964 and I named him with that horse in mind. It’s a great bit of fun for the owners and hopefully we’ll all have a great day out.”

Martin Brassil, trainer of Desertmore House

“He’s in good form but he’s probably unlikely to run because the ground is so heavy. I’m going to have a look at it before I make a decision but he’s been left in at Aintree where we hope the ground might be better.”

Dermot McLoughlin, trainer of Digby

“The ground is a major concern for Digby and it is doubtful whether we will declare. He’s an autumn/spring horse and Fairyhouse is only ten minutes from me and the ground is proper heavy with more rain to come. It’s very frustrating as he has the perfect weight. We will take as much time as we need before making a final decision but the ground is very much against him and it is hard to see that changing between now and Monday.”