Its a busy day for us on Easter Monday. Over in Cork we have three runners kicking off with GOLDEN JOY. He was a winner last time out and we will be claiming off him with Jake Coen who takes off 3lbs.
For the p2p bumper over 2m3f we have GENEROUS RISK who was a winner of his point to point and will be ridden by Harry Swan.
Finally in Cork we have TORPILLE DAGROSTIS in the mares point to point. She was placed in her p2p and she looks like a smart prospect for the future and Harry Swan has been booked to ride.
Over in Fairyhouse it is Grand National Day where we start off with ARCH EMPIRE. It was great to get a win out of this horse reasonably quickly and he is in peak physical fitness at the moment. Josh Williamson had a great day yesterday when winning the sales bumper and rides here over hurdles claiming 7lbs.
WENDROCK always runs a big race and head for this Grade 2. It looks a very open contest where anything could happen so fingers crossed he goes well with Sam Ewing in the saddle.
We have three runners going forward for the 0-140 handicap hurdle where we have LUCKY LYREEN, CLODDERS DREAM and ANGOSTURA as Mordor is now a non-runner. Lucky Lyreen has hit a vein of good form and hopefully he can go well under Finn who claims 7lbs. Clodders Dream returns to racing after a break and will be ridden by Sam Ewing. Angostura can be a bit hit and miss but he has gone well on heavy ground and will be ridden by Jordan Gainford.
Next up in the Grade 2 hurdle is MAXXUM, STAFFORDSHORE KNOT and KALA CONTI. Maxxum goes well in big handicaps and could go well here in graded company under Danny Gilligan. Kala Conti takes a step back in class and will have a mares allowance under Jordan Gainford. Staffordshire Knot needs to improve and will be ridden by Sam Ewing.
In the Grade 2 chase we have FOUND A FIFTY who can improve after his run the last day as he drops back in company. The ground should be to his liking and Sam Ewing has been booked to ride. Ash Tree Meadow is a non-runner.
The feature race of the meeting is the Irish Grand National where we have 7 going to post. BETTER DAYS AHEAD is the top weight in this and will be in the trusty hands of Rob James who will use his valuable 7lbs claim. DUFFLE COAT unseated in the English equivalent when going well early. Alex Harvey rides and claims 5lbs. FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU will have first time blinkers and Danny Gilligan in the saddle. SEARCH FOR GLORY needs to improve his jumping but has a solid record and will be ridden by Sam Ewing. SHECOULDBEANYTHING is truly that, the distance is a question mark but she will need to be at her best under Jordan Gainford. STUZZIKINI is partnered by his good friend Gavin Brouder who claims 3lbs and can hopefully go well. WILL DO gets in as the lowest weight and will be ridden by Harry Sexton who claims 7lbs and had a great winner yesterday.
For the handicap chase we have SHANNON ROYAL and CLEATUS POOLAW. Cleatus goes off a nice mark here and will be ridden by Sam Ewing. Shannon Royale is top weight here and we will be claiming off him with Rob James taking away 7lbs.
Finally in the bumper we have KOVANIS. He was a winner of his point to point and his bumper. Josh Williamson won the big bumper yesterday and is flying form. He claims 7lbs and can hopefully go well.