Racing: The Tony Martin-trained Xenophon has never won over fences but that hasn't stopped some bookmakers installing him as favourite to break his duck in Monday's Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National.
Paddy Power make Xenophon their 5 to 1 market leader for the big race but Cashmans rate the novice a 14 to 1 shot behind their own 8 to 1 favourite Le Coudray after the latest forfeit stage.
Xenophon, winner of the Pierse Hurdle and the Coral Cup over hurdles last season, will be joined by his stable companion Ross Moff in the Easter highlight after 43 horses were left in yesterday.
Martin confirmed both horses were on course for the National and he hopes to book Timmy Murphy for the big-race ride on Xenophon. Murphy rode Davids Lad to success at Fairyhouse three years ago.
The defection of Harbour Pilot left open the all-important role of topweight but it looks as if Le Coudray will now fill the gap.
Le Coudray fell in last weekend's Aintree National but trainer Christy Roche said yesterday: "He's come out of that fine and we're happy with him. At the moment the plan is to run."
There are also indications that last year's winner, Timbera, will try to double up after missing out on Aintree with a lung infection.
Timbera was scoped yesterday and trainer Dessie Hughes reported: "It has improved a good bit though he is not 100 per cent yet. I hope by next week he'll be better. It has improved a lot and we've left him in."
Jim Culloty rode Timbera to victory last year but Hughes is holding back on booking a jockey this time until the health situation with his horse is clearer.
One absentee from the 43 will be last year's third-placed Winning Dream, who has picked up a lung infection that has ruined months of preparation by his trainer Oliver McKiernan.
A notable name among the entries left in is the Aintree National hero Amberleigh House, but he has been ruled out by trainer Ginger McCain.
"Amberleigh definitely doesn't go but I will have to discuss things with the owner before deciding if my other horse Ebony Light will run," said McCain.
"He disappointed us badly the last time he ran. Only for that he would definitely be running. The ground is suitable and all that but we will wait a while and see."
No English-trained horse has won the Irish National since Jenny Pitman's Mudahim in 1998 but Artic Jack is a likely starter at Fairyhouse for Sue Smith's team.
Artic Jack emerged unscathed from his first-fence exit at Aintree and could be joined by the Richard Guest duo of Thyneandthyneagain and Red Striker.
With Le Coudray likely to take his chance, JP McManus could also be represented by Mini Sensation and Kadoun, whose trainer Michael O'Brien may also run Bennie's Pride.
A definite starter will be the novice Direct Bearing who will try to give trainer Dermot Weld a second success in the race after Perris Valley in 1988.
The ground at Fairyhouse is described as soft with showers forecast for the next few days.
Gowran hosts its annual hunter chase card this afternoon where the feature is the Garryrichard Stud Tetratema Cup.
Castle Weir returns from Cheltenham action and General Montcalm will have another crack at his Fairyhouse conqueror Glenduff Bridge. The latter has won again since in the North and could be one to keep on the right side of for a while yet.
Enda Bolger's Mr Shush hasn't seen a racecourse since running behind Nijinsky Dancer over hurdles at Killarney but can win the first maiden hunter chase while Bitsandbobs looks the answer to the second maiden.
GRAND NATIONAL BETTING
Paddy Power: 5 Xenophon, 8 Native Jack, 10 Artic Jack, Kadoun, Timbera, 12 Hume Castle, Satco Express, 14 Colnel Rayburn, Le Coudray, Mini Sensation, Montayral, Never Compromise, 16 Bar.
Cashmans: 8 Le Coudray, 10 Native Jack, Timbera, Hume Castle, Montayral, Direct Bearing, 12 Artic Jack, Kadoun, Mini Sensation, Thyneandthyneagain, 14 Red Striker, Back On Top, Ross Moff, Bennie's Pride, Xenophon, 16 Bar.
