Beef Or Salmon top weight for National

BEEF OR SALMON will attempt to become the first horse since Flashing Steel in 1995 to carry top weight to victory in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

Michael Hourigan's stable stalwart stood his ground at the forfeit stage along with 44 others, headed by the ante-post co-favourites, Royal County Star, trained by Tony Martin, Cailín Alainn and Pomme Tiepy.

As usual, Willie Mullins holds a strong hand, and along with his five-year-old mare Pomme Tiepy, a faller at Cheltenham last week, Alexander Taipan, Arbor Supreme, Ballytrim, Gilligans Hall, Homer Wells, Irish Invader and Livingstonebramble could all go to post.

There are five British entries, with Arnold Layne, Azulejo, Flintoff, Juveigneur and The Outlier all possibles.

But it is Martin's Royal County Star who has been all the rage with Paddy Power and is now down to 5 to 1 from an opening price of 8s.

"Royal County Star ran over hurdles three weeks ago and ran quite well and I'm happy with him," the Meath trainer said. "Hopefully everything will be okay for Monday.

"He was a bit unlucky in the Kerry National and was third or fourth at the time and looked to have a great chance when he unseated Robbie (Colgan).

"But he gained good compensation in the Troytown when Robbie was very good and it all worked out."

Martin could also run Newbay Prop, who won the Paddy Power Chase in December but was pulled up at Cheltenham.

"I thought he would run well at Cheltenham, but he ran into himself and pulled a shoe off," explained Martin.

"It was only half-way and he only went a mile, so I intend running him at Fairyhouse."

The trainer knows exactly what is required to take an Irish National, having saddled Davids Lad to take the 2001 renewal, but is under no illusions about the enormousness of his charges' task.

"The Irish National is the most competitive chase in Ireland for the year and I've got two horses realistically with chances - they've been running well and done well."

A Paddy Power spokesman said: "The money has come in lorryloads for Royal County Star in the last few days, and everyone knows that Tony is more than capable of readying one for a major race.

"The forecast rain means we are also looking to duck Cailín Alainn and Pomme Tiepy, as we feel they are well treated and should love the wet conditions."