KERRY Lee will be praying for a rainy Easter as she contemplates running Russe Blanc in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on March 28.

The nine-year-old enjoyed testing conditions to win the Betfred Classic Chase at Warwick in January but the ground had dried out too much at Newcastle when he unseated his rider in the Eider Chase last month.

Lee is hoping wet weather returns before the end of the month after Russe Blanc was allotted 9st 13lb for the Easter Monday showpiece.

"He's very much a possibility at the moment. It's the dream of his owner Mark Jackson to go to Ireland, but it comes plenty quick enough on the back of the Eider," said the Presteigne trainer, who has enjoyed a run of big-race success since taking over from her father, Richard.

"He was fine after the Eider. He didn't have a hard race, he just didn't enjoy the ground. It was a bit on the quick side for him.

"He was a Warwick Classic Chase winner on heavy ground. We're hoping for more of the same in Ireland."

Russe Blanc is one of 11 British entries from eight different stables among a list of 90 for the marathon test.

Jonjo O'Neill has three, headed by Beg To Differ 10st 4lb), as he bids to win the race for the third time after Butlers Cabin in 2007 and Shutthefrontdoor under Barry Geraghty two years ago.

Others include the Neil Mulholland-trained Carole's Destrier (10st 13lb), David Pipe's Broadway Buffalo (10st 2lb) and Vivaldi Collonges (10st 4lb) from the Paul Nicholls stable.