Robert Power (left) and Barry Geraghty at the launch of the Irish Grand National last week.

Fairyhouse set for big weekend with National

Fairyhouse will host the Irish Grand National this weekend with the showpiece event at the three-day meeting sure to attract a bumper crowd to the popular track on Easter Monday. Nina Carberry took the top prize 12 months ago when she stormed to victory with Organisedconfusion, trained by her uncle, Arthur Moore and the duo could be in the line up again next Monday. "We are delighted to have such a competitive entry for this year's Ladbrokes Irish Grand National which is the centrepiece of our Easter Festival from 8th to 10th April," commented Fairyhouse manager Peter Roe. "This year's festival will again revolve around quality racing along with an enlarged shopping village, music and children's entertainment "We will be keeping a close eye on the weather and will commence watering when appropriate to ensure safe ground for the festival," he added. "Of the 69 entries, 64 of them are in the handicap and this will make for a very competitive renewal of the contest. It has attracted the top handicappers in the UK and Ireland, so it is sure to be a very exciting race," said national hunt handicapper Noel O'Brien at the launch of the race last week. Castletown trainer Noel Meade has said at this stage it is likely Paul Carberry will ride Cross Appeal which has had this race as a target for a while. "Cross Appeal is in really good form, we don't mind if the rain stays away for him or Fisher Bridge, but we would only run Medical Card if the ground came up on the soft side," said Meade. Easter Monday will also feature a number of attraction in the enclosure with the Carton House-sponsored 'most stylish lady' competition set to attract plenty of glamour with Rosanna Davison and television style presenter Brendan Courtney in the judging booth. There will be a marquee beside the parade ring where ladies hoping to vie for the title can register on the red carpet and the lucky winner will receive an overall prize package worth €8,000 from Carton House. Last year's prize was won by Emer Lynch from Batterstown. The highlight of Sunday's card will be the Powers Gold Cup in which the Dunsany-owned Flemenstar, trained near Stamullen by avid Dublin supporter Peter Casey, would be a hugely popular winner. The Dan Moore Memorial Chase over two miles and one furlong will be one of the top races on the final day of the action, Tuesday next. Geraghty recorded a fine treble at Navan on Saturday where he was on the mark with Slieveardagh which veered left after jumping the last. Geraghty sorted out the problem and was also successful with the well-regarded Table Mountain for Robbie Hennessy and Tranquil Sea. At Dundalk on Friday night, the Marie Cusack-owned That's A Fret won again with a great performance over six furlongs. Trainer Liam McAteer confirmed that a big race at Naas would be the next target. That's A Fret was bred by the Cusack family and is out of Reality Check which also produced a foal this week, by coincidence on Friday night.