Countdown to Aintree begins

IRISH RACING:IMMEDIATELY AFTER Cheltenham comes the countdown to the Aintree Grand National in three weeks' time with trials in Ireland both today and tomorrow as well as four Irish runners lining up for this afternoon's Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.

The Irish quartet are headed by the Jessica Harrington-trained Badgerlaw and also includes Sea Diva, Operation Houdini and the Tony Martin hope Hold The Pin who is bottom of the 20-runner field.

Badgerlaw came out second best 12 months ago behind Himalayan Trail. “He’s in great form. He travelled over yesterday,” said Harrington.

At home the rescheduled Naas card, cancelled last Sunday and featuring the Leinster National, is run off with major Liverpool hopes like Preists Leap, Chelsea Harbour and Southern Vic due to have their final warm-ups.

In contrast Emma Jane could be a contender for the Irish National on Easter Monday and if she wins today there is a €50,000 bonus up for grabs at Fairyhouse.

Last year’s National runner-up King Johns Castle has a belated first start since that heroic effort behind Comply Or Die in the handicap hurdle today while the 2007 Liverpool hero Silver Birch also has a start over flights in the handicap hurdle at Navan tomorrow.

Possibly the most interesting runner of the weekend in Ireland, however, will be Joncol in today’s novice chase at Naas where the hugely-promising 18 hands giant teams up with Ruby Walsh.