O'Dwyer feels Hangover has a 'good each-way shout'

RACING NEWS:CONOR O'DWYER believes Hangover has a "good each-way shout" in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday. The eight-year-old gelding has yet to finish outside the first four in six starts over fences but let down favourite-backers on his latest appearance at Navan.

His trainer believes there were excuses for that disappointing effort, and feels the testing conditions will be right up his street at Fairyhouse. “He did a nice bit of work on Wednesday morning and seems in great form, so it’s all systems go,” said Co Kildare-based O’Dwyer.

“I was very disappointed with his run in Navan the last day but the yard just wasn’t firing at the time and even though he seemed quite healthy, it was definitely a below-par run. He has been in good form since and, providing the weights don’t change too much, Nicky O’Shea will ride him.

“We know he’ll like the ground and while he’s stepping up in trip, he galloped home well in the Thyestes over three miles, so I can’t see the extra few furlongs doing him any harm. If he can reproduce that Thyestes run and is in the same sort of form, I think he has a good each-way shout.”

Dessie Hughes reports Siegemaster to be in fine shape ahead of the race. “He’s had a break since Gowran (third in the Red Mills Chase) and has freshened up well,” the Co Kildare trainer told At The Races.

“It will be very testing ground. They had snow on the track two days ago and when that thaws out it makes it very heavy.

“I think he’ll go on the ground, though. He ran well in the Paddy Power (at Leopardstown) on heavy and ran well when third in the Thyestes. It was very heavy there and he led over the last. He’s got plenty of weight. He’s kept sneaking up (the handicap) because he’s been placed in good races.”

Paul Nolan believes Alpha Ridge could prove well handicapped in the feature race. The eight-year-old is still a maiden over fences after four starts but has filled the runner-up spot three times, most notably chasing home the high-class Pandorama in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in December.

Nolan feels a three-month break since his last run has left his charge in rude health and he is looking forward to seeing how his charge gets on next week. “Alpha Ridge will hopefully take his chance. He needs a few to come out but I’m sure enough will to make sure he gets a run,” said Nolan.

“It looks as though he has a lenient enough mark compared to his hurdle rating, but we’ve made a bit of a mess of things with him this season.

“We’ve given him a nice break, freshened him up and he looks a picture at the moment. There is no point just going for a novice race at this stage of the season so we’ll have a crack at the National and that will be his last run.”