Sunday, 8 April 2012

O'Leary Runs Five at Irish National


Roi Du Mee heads a maximum field of 30 runners in the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday 

The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old is one of five runners for Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud.

Ante-post favourite Four Commanders will be ridden by Davy Russell, with Magnanimity, Gift Of Dgab, and Start Me Up the other Gigginstown horses.

Tony McCoy will ride the Christy Roche-trained Groody Hill for JP McManus.

Osana, Catch Me, Aigle D'Or and Alfie Sherrin are the other McManus horses in the field.

Cross Appeal is a major contender for Noel Meade, while Ruby Walsh partners Allee Garde, one of four runners for Willie Mullins.

Ireland's champion trainer will also be represented by Shakervilz, Some Target and Raptor.

Nina Carberry won last year's race on Organisedconfusion , a horse trained by her uncle Arthur Moore.

She again rides a Moore-trained horse, Lastofttheleaders, in Monday's three-mile-five-furlong showpiece.

Last five Irish Grand National winners and riders
2011: Organisedconfusion - Nina Carberry
2010: Bluesea Cracker - Andrew McNamara
2009: Niche Market - Harry Skelton
2008: Hear the Echo - Paddy Flood
2007: Butler's Cabin - Tony McCoy