Irish Grand National tellytrack?

Not sure if we will see the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National on Monday?

It is difficult to ever be confident in picking a Grand National winner, but in this case the 10/1 on offer for the Jonjo Oneill trained and AP McCoy ridden. Wichita Lineman must be worth a few bob?

The last race at Cheltenham:


WICHITA LINEMAN had long been the ante-post favourite for the National Hunt Chase today, but recent ante-post activity saw him promoted to favouritism for this and he rewarded his supporters with a last-gasp success. Things were far from plain sailing, however, and anyone who backed him had his quite brilliant jockey to thank as he gave him a glorious ride.

Settled in midfield through the first half of the race, he began to race lazily - a trait he has shown on numerous occasions in the past - and made his first serious error at the ninth fence. He then ran in snatches and looked a most unlikely winner three out, where he again blundered. His proven stamina came to the fore after the penultimate fence, however, and with his rider refusing to give in, he motored up the run-in to mow down rivals and get up near the line.

In winning he became only the second novice to do so, Fork Lightning having been successful in 2004, and this was actually his first run in a handicap. Considering that he is officially rated 156 over hurdles, there was every chance he was going to prove well treated and he should still look feasibly handicapped after a likely rise, so may not have finished winning just yet. Long term, the Grand National will surely be at the back of connections´ minds for this quirky, yet very talented stayer. Surprisingly his trainer later reported that if he is fine this morning he will actually be allowed take his chance in the four-miler and, should he line up, it will be fascinating to see how he goes.

Pere and Lineman wait on Fairyhouse watering


THE Irish Grand National participation of Notre Pere, Wichita Lineman and the identity of the Powers Whiskey-sponsored highlight's top weight all depend on the effect of overnight watering at Fairyhouse.

Jim Dreaper, trainer of Coral Welsh National winner Notre Pere, will not risk his Chepstow victor on fast ground, while Jonjo O'Neill is also reluctant to run Wichita Lineman on a quick surface.


Ground conditions at Fairyhouse were officially described on Sunday as good, but 12 horses were pulled out due to the underfoot conditions.

Should Notre Pere be scratched, the weights would rise by 7lb, leaving Wichita Lineman with a revised top weight of 11st 7lb. If both horses defect, Chelsea Harbour and One Cool Cookie would head the handicap.

"We'll wait until the morning to make a decision and see what the night brings," explained Dreaper, while O'Neill said: "In an ideal world, we would like some rain and if it dries out any more he might not run."

Fairyhouse clerk Joe Collins said on Sunday evening: "The met office has just told us that the rain we were expecting tonight will not arrive until late tomorrow morning and it will be no more than six millimetres.

"The rain we were forecast over the past few days never arrived and we've decided to water tonight to try and provide ground just on the slow side of good."

Fairyhouse does not have its own watering system but, according to track manager Caroline Gray, an irrigation facility has been hired.

She said: "We could have watered before now, but we didn't because we were told to expect rain which never arrived."

LONDON - The Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse takes centre-stage and Dessie Hughes' Rare Bob can prevail. In a race in which novices have a good record, this seven-year-old has some top-class form and could prove to be a blot on the handicap.

Hughes has enjoyed a good season and a victory in one of the most prestigious races would top it off nicely.

Rare Bob started off his campaign being demoted from first place at Punchestown where the stewards deemed he had interfered with high-class Trafford Lad. A couple of satisfactory runs followed before he opened his account over fences at Punchestown.

Arguably the best run of the campaign came in the Dr P.J. Moriarty Chase when he finished fourth behind Cooldine and Forpadydeplasterer, beaten only 13 lengths. Of course, that pair subsequently landed the RSA Chase and the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Stepped up to 4800m in heavy ground next time he proved stamina was not an issue by strolling home and he looks very well treated.

Tom Taaffe's Coral Cup winner Ninetieth Minute is worth siding with in the Ladbrokes.com Hurdle on the same card. He had a couple of options at Aintree but Taaffe elected to wait for this and the hint should be taken.

Mark Johnston's horses continue in good form and his African Cheetah went into plenty of notebooks after his debut at Doncaster. He raced greenly throughout the race but the penny finally began to drop in the last 400m and he ran on to finish third behind an odds-on shot. He could prove a cut above his rivals in Division II of Warwick's Snitterfield Maiden Stakes.

George Thisby finished one place ahead of African Cheetah at Doncaster and can go one better himself in the Division 1 of the same race.

Sir Michael Stoute's Holyrood bumped into some above-average juveniles last year and should have no trouble breaking his duck in the Bet Totepool @ totesport.com Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Yarmouth, while the consistent Just Bond looks the best option at Redcar in the Boddingtons Straight-Mile Championship (Qualifier).

Forty Five can complete a four-timer for Jonjo O'Neill in the freebets.co.uk Handicap Hurdle at Chepstow. The seven-year-old has scored at Ludlow, Warwick and Fakenham and can defy topweight.

Renee Robeson scored the biggest victory of her career at Aintree with Ogee and another Sir Michael Stoute cast-off should be backed at Fakenham.

E Major was rated 80 once upon a time on the level and after three starts should be up to winning the Norfolk Constabulary Our Priority Is You Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Andrew Balding's Kervriou can open his account over fences in the freebets.co.uk Summer Racing Free Bets Novices' Chase at Huntingdon. He made a promising return after three months off when second to Silver Adonis at Wincanton and can take his revenge on his conqueror.

Charlie Mann's Gauvain can put a disappointing run at Aintree behind him in the freebets.co.uk Easter Bunny Novices' Chase at Plumpton. He ran a cracker in the Arkle to finish sixth but made a mistake at the first at Aintree which seemed to knock his confidence. - Press Association.