HORSES trained in Ireland account for 49 of the 78 entries for the £1 million Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 11th. There were 90 entries last year.

Gordon Elliott has 12 entries and Willie Mullins has entered 14, including last year’s winner Nick Rockett who has yet to make his seasonal debut. Both trainers have won the race three times previously.

The early favourite is Iroko, who finished third last year for the Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero stable. Iroko is owned by J.P. McManus whose seven Grand National entries include I Am Maximus, Jagwar and Spillane’s Tower.

The weights for the race will be unveiled on Tuesday week, February 17th. Final declarations for the race will be made on Wednesday, April 8th, a day earlier than usual. Irish-trained horses have won the Grand National in seven of the past nine years. Only Lucinda Russell (twice) has struck for the British side in that time.