Racing

Mullins and McManus dominate Irish National entries

Organisers excited by quality and depth of the field for the April 1st feature

Trainer Willie Mullins has entered Back In Focus, Boston Bob and Quel Esprit into the Irish National. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire
Trainer Willie Mullins has entered Back In Focus, Boston Bob and Quel Esprit into the Irish National. Photograph: David Davies/PA Wire
Tue Mar 19 2013 - 21:57

Willie Mullins and JP McManus dominate the entries for the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on April 1st.

Fresh from being crowned leading trainer at the Cheltenham Festival, Mullins has once again dominated the Irish National Hunt season.

His strength in depth is phenomenal, with the likes of Back In Focus, Boston Bob and Quel Esprit all under consideration.

McManus is also likely to be strongly represented with Alfie Sherrin, Competitive Edge, Lost Glory and Alderwood in the frame.

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Liz Doyle’s Rich Revival, Gordon Elliott’s pair of Realt Mor and Romanesco, the Dessie Hughes-trained duo of White Star Line and Tofino Bay and Tony Martin’s Dedigout are all entered.

Fairyhouse’s general manager Peter Roe said: “The ground is currently soft and more rain is forecast.

“There will be fresh new ground used each day and the track for the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National has not been used this winter and we’re hugely excited by what could be a high-class field.

“We are confident that with the depth and quality of our entries for the remaining races over the three days, it should be our best Easter festival ever.”

‘Quality and depth’

Hayley O’Connor, representing sponsor Ladbrokes said: “This is our third year associated with Ireland’s premier handicap chase and after a truly spectacular Cheltenham for the Irish contenders, the quality and depth to this year’s field has the ingredients for a vintage renewal.

"We've entered a golden era for Irish National Hunt racing and some of the jewels in our crown will be on show at the Fairyhouse festival."
Ladbrokes Irish Grand National, sponsors bet: 8-1 Back In Focus, Alfie Sherrin, 10-1 Boston Bob, Lost Glory, Romanesco, Tofino Bay, 12-1 Carlingford Lough, Ninetieth Minute, Realt Mor, Rich Revival, White Star Line, 14-1 bar.