DUKE OF FAIRYHOUSE
JESSICA HARRINGTON’S Our Duke has been backed across the boards for the Boylesports Irish Grand National on Easter Monday at Fairyhouse.
Having had just three races over fences – and eight in his career – the seven-year-old lacks experience for a race of this nature.
However, he is already a Grade One winner this season over three miles and will be running off a mark of just 153.
Harrington, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month as well as the Coral Cup and Grand Annual, has given him the green light as long as the ground is suitable.
She said: “That is the plan, the only thing that would stop us is if the ground got too quick.
“As long as the ground is good to soft he will run.
“In that race, novices have a good record and he has got a nice weight.”
Our Duke’s jockey, Robbie Power, is on the crest of a wave having had the three Harrington Cheltenham winners along with four successes at Aintree.
Ladbrokes were one of several firms to report good support for the youngster and were forced to cut him from 10-1 into 6-1 clear favourite.
Ladbrokes’ Nicola McGeady said: “Jessica Harrington has had a fantastic few months. It’s no surprise to see Our Duke become clear favourite for the Irish Grand National.”
Martyn Meade is confident Aclaim can make his mark at the highest level this season.
The four-year-old enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks in the second half of last year, claiming an Ascot handicap, a Listed prize at Newbury and the Group Two Challenge Stakes at Newmarket in little over a month.
He is set to be tested in Group One company in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 20.
And Meade believes he can get his charge cherry-ripe for that assignment without the aid of a prep run. The Sefton Lodge-based trainer said: “He is not difficult to get fit. The Lockinge is the plan and I don’t think we need a prep race as we got him right to win first time out last season. So I think he should be OK.
“We are just hoping he will step up and win us that Group One.
“We got a bit ambitious after his first run.
“We went to that Group Three in Ireland and it was just a bit tough for him.
“Horses take a bit of time to educate. He has matured and he is well in himself. He is sensible.”