A HIGH class list of entries were revealed this week for the Boylesports Irish Grand National, just five weeks away on Easter Monday, April 10th.

Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Conflated (25/1) is the top-weight as his trainer Gordon Elliott has made 19 entries in all and Cheltenham Festival hopes Delta Work, Fury Road, Minella Crooner and Galvin are also entered.

Conflated has been given 11st12lb, three ahead of Galvin on 11st 9lb, with only two winners since 2000 having carried more than 11st, Our Duke (2017) and Commanche Court (2000) both carried 11st 4lb.Last year’s National runner-up Frontal Assault is the shortest-priced of the Elliott contingent, which includes Coko Beach and The Goffer.

The race was again launched at the yard of local trainer Dermot McLoughlin, enjoying a return to form by his string and entered three in bid for historic National three-in-a-row.

The Ratoath trainer added to the family history when taking the latest renewals with Freewheelin Dylan and Lord Lariat respectively. In his bid to emulate Jim Dreaper, who won three successive Irish Grand Nationals, McLoughlin has entered last year’s 40/1 hero Lord Lariat, Captain CJ and The Echo Boy.

Lord Lariat is a 20/1 chance with BoyleSports for a repeat but he is more likely to run in the Grand National at Aintree.

Blessed

McLoughlin, pretty mobile despite recovering from a broken leg suffered out hunting, reflected on his successes: “Last year was great as we came home and there were plenty of neighbours and plenty of staff and it was great for everyone.”

“We’re happy with the weight in the Irish Grand National (10st 4lb) and everything else, so we’ll see what happens.” Captain CJ was accessed on 8st 13lb. “He’s sound at the moment and we’ll see how he runs on Sunday (at Naas) and go from there.”

Of the top 25 in the entries, 17 are from the Mullins or Elliott stables but that did not deter the Ratoath man. “I enjoy taking on the bigger lads. We’ve had well handicapped horses (for the Irish Grand National) in the last couple of years and things came right,” he said.

Third last year and a Grade 1 winner at Christmas, Gaillard Du Mesnil (10st 13lb) heads an entry of 14 horses for Willie Mullins. The highest-rated of the champion trainer’s team is Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Stattler (11st lb) ahead of Carefully Selected, Franco De Port and Burrows Saint, winner in 2019.

Martin Brassil saddled Numbersixvalverde to win in 2005 and his Panda Boy is topping the early betting. Longhouse Poet is also entered.

Two Cheltenham fancies, the Jonathan Sweeney-trained Churchstonewarrior and John McConnell’s Mahler Mission are also among the more fancied with Irish handicapper Sandy Shaw admitting that progressive novices always catch his eye.”Handicapping is never two and two make four, it’s an opinion,” he said.

He was also sweet on the chances of a British success by way of Dan Skelton’s Ashtown Lad (9st 13lb, shortest-priced of the six British entries at 16/1.

Sharon McHugh, of BoyleSports, said: “BoyleSports is incredibly privileged and proud to continue to sponsor the Irish Grand National. It’s such an iconic race and with a prize pot of €500,000. What I think racing fans love most about the BoyleSports Irish Grand National is its ability to throw up a surprise on the day so it really is all to race for.”

Peter Roe, General Manager of Fairyhouse Racecourse, said: “It is great to have another top-class entry for this year’s Boylesports Irish Grand National. A host of Grade 1 winners headed by dual Grade 1 winner and leading Gold Cup fancy Conflated for Gordon Elliott and Michael O’Leary.

Sponsors early prices: 12 Ain’t That A Shame, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Panda Boy; 14 Stumptown, Thedevilscoachman, Carefully Selected, Frontal Assault, Mahler Mission, Max Flamingo