Trouble Ahead, a winner under top-weight in a five-runner Wincanton Handicap Chase earlier this month, will represent Venetia Williams in the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.
The 11-year-old winner of six chases is due to travel over by boat on Saturday. "He is ready to run and with Norman Williamson not available I'm told as he will be riding for either Dessie Hughes or Edward O'Grady, we are currently looking for another rider. Brian Crowley may travel over if we can find nobody suitable in Ireland and I hope to be there myself on Monday," reported Miss Williams on Thursday morning.
Noel Meade, who has four left among the 31 remaining entries, expects just Arctic Copper and The Bunny Boiler, who has gone up 25lbs after his recent Midlands National success at Uttoxeter, to represent him in the big race.
"Oa Baldixe, if he is to run over Easter, will run in the Powers Gold Label Gold Cup on Tuesday while Strong Run is so much out of the weights he'll also miss the Irish National,"said Meade. "Harbour Pilot, Michael Mor and Royal Jake could all run in the Powers Gold Cup as long as we get a little ease in the ground," revealed the Navan trainer.
Give Over will run in Monday's Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National, despite being 6lbs out of the handicap proper should Commanche Court carry top-weight of 12 stone.
Trainer Eddie Hales said on Thursday: "I thought he'd finish third or fourth in the Royal & SunAlliance at Cheltenham and then run a big race in the Irish National but instead he ran terrible over there and was pulled up before the third last. His blood wasn't right then but it's come right now and I'm hoping he runs well on Monday."
Filed by Laura Reynolds
