FAIRYHOUSE:IT IS 23 years since Dermot Weld saddled an Irish Grand National runner, but Perris Valley won the Fairyhouse highlight then and the Curragh trainer is hoping Prince Erik will bridge the long gap this Easter Monday.
Weld yesterday ruled Majestic Concorde out of the €250,000 highlight after a big effort in the Aintree National nine days ago, but Prince Erik will take his chance under Davy Condon.
“Drying ground will be in his favour and I thought he battled very well the last day at Naas. He is very well,” he said.
Prince Erik, who ran in the Irish Derby as a three-year-old, is a co-second favourite for the Irish National. Beautiful Sound tops the betting at 7 to 1 despite needing a substantial number of horses to come out of the race to get a place among the maximum field of 25.
“Majestic Concorde has come out of Liverpool well, and either his next race will be the Chester Cup or he could go on holidays,” Weld added.
Majestic Concorde was a narrowly beaten fourth in last year’s Chester Cup behind Mamlook.
