Commanche Court heads a field of 19 for the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National as he bids to win the Fairyhouse feature for the second time on Monday. The nine-year-old, who last time finished second to Best Mate in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup, is lumbered with top weight of 12st as he tries to repeat his win of two years ago when he carried 11st 4lb to a 10 lengths victory over Foxchapel King.
The last horse to win two successive Irish Nationals was Brown Lad. He struck in 1975, 1976 and again in 1978. But as the class act, Commanche Court has been installed 5-1 favourite with Irish bookmakers Paddy Power.
Only two other horses are in the handicap proper. They are Rathbawn Prince, runner-up to Davids Lad last year, on 10st 8lb and Arctic Copper on 10st. The sole British-trained runner is the Venetia Williams-trained Trouble Ahead. He is 8lb out of the handicap. Brian Crowley takes the ride on the 11-year-old as Norman Williamson is set to partner for Takagi.
Other interesting runners include Noel Meade's The Bunny Boiler, winner of the Marstons Pedigree Midlands Grand National, and Cheltenham runners-up Timbera (National Hunt Chase) and Cregg House (Cathcart Chase).
Filed by Sinéad Kissane
