Joseph O’Brien is set to send several horses to Aintree Racecourse next week which may include a first ever runner in the Randox Grand National itself.
The Irish trainer has confirmed Fakir D’oudairies, Banbridge and Home By The Lee will all run at Aintree, while he still holds two entries in the world’s greatest steeplechase in Darasso and A Wave Of The Sea.
Both those Grand National entrants are owned by JP McManus and another, Fakir D’oudairies, will be bidding for a record-breaking third successive victory in the Grade One Marsh Chase on Ladies Day next Friday. Having bypassed last month’s Cheltenham Festival he will look to become the first horse to win the former Melling Chase three times.
Stablemate Banbridge also missed Cheltenham after he was taken out of the Turners’ Novices’ Chase due to the rain-softened ground at Prestbury Park.
READ MORE: Full list of the 57 entries as Corach Rambler the favourite
O’Brien said: “Fakir has been good in Aintree the last few years. It looks like it will be a very good race this year, as you’d expect, but he’ll go there with a live chance again.
“We’ve learned that Banbridge is at his best on a sounder surface and it was very testing on the day at Cheltenham. We also have him entered at Fairyhouse, but I think Aintree is more likely to get better ground.”
Home By The Lee is also set to head to Aintree having been fifth in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham following wins earlier this season at Navan and Leopardstown. The eight-year-old is set to line up in the the Grade One Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National day.
O’Brien added: “Home By The Lee made a very bad mistake in Cheltenham and was probably lucky not to fall or pull a muscle, but he’s fine after the race and he potentially will go to Aintree.”
