The complexion of Monday's Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National could change significantly before today's final declaration stage with one of the co-favourites for Ireland's most valuable chase, Homer Wells, already rated a "a big doubt" due to ground conditions at Fairyhouse.
Homer Wells's trainer, Willie Mullins, was due to walk the track last evening but he admitted yesterday he was having second thoughts about running his Thyestes winner on going that is getting faster all the time.
"He is a soft-ground horse and there has to be a big doubt about running him. I imagine it will be too good," Mullins said. "We have to bear in mind we have the option of Aintree for him as well, or we might just let him off for the season totally. We will leave a decision until the morning."
Homer Wells remains a 10 to 1 co-favourite along with the English pair, Distant Thunder and Juveigneur, in Paddy Power betting, but their big mover yesterday was the Tom Taaffe -trained Kings Advocate, now a 16 to 1 shot from 25s, who will be ridden by Barry Geraghty.
Significantly, Kings Advocate could be Taaffe's sole runner in the race as the chances of the topweight Cane Brake taking part are now rated no more than "50-50". Taaffe is also concerned about the going getting too quick for his Troytown and Paddy Power Chase winner and he plans to walk the course early this morning before deciding if he will declare Cane Brake.
If Cane Brake isn't declared, it will mean a minimum 7lb rise in the weights, which would have a big impact on running plans for most of the 62 entries that remain in the €250,000 Easter highlight.
Clerk of the course Joe Collins walked the track yesterday afternoon and the going is now officially "good", although he described the surface as being perfect jumping ground.
Watering though is likely to begin today and continue into tomorrow.
Former champion jockey Paul Carberry is set to return at Fairyhouse this weekend. Carberry, who broke a bone in a foot in an accident at home that kept him out of the Cheltenham festival, said yesterday: "I could ride on Saturday or I might wait until Sunday. It's not too bad now, a little sore, but you expect that."
Donald McCain has the Kim Muir winner Cloudy Lane as a possible contender for the National but he will definitely make the trip from Britain for Sunday's Powers Gold Cup with the high-class novice Regal Heights.
"I wasn't keen on Cheltenham this year because I was concerned he wasn't mature enough," McCain said. "It seems the sensible place to send him. There is nothing suitable at Aintree. I think on official ratings he has the highest mark so it seems a sensible target. Graham Lee rides."
On the flat, Aidan O'Brien confirmed Soldier Of Fortune, runner-up to Passage Of Time in last November's Criterium de Saint-Cloud, will return to France on Sunday for the Group Two Prix Noailles over 10-and-a-half furlongs at Longchamp.
"Christophe Soumillon will ride him," said O'Brien, who also outlined his running plans for the Guineas Trial meeting at Leopardstown tomorrow. "Admiralofthefleet and Yellowstone will run in the 2,000 Trial and both Thean and Nell Gwyn are the most likely for the 1,000," he said.
A group of O'Brien-trained horses, including Mount Nelson, Eagle Mountain and Duke Or Marmalade, will have racecourse gallops after racing at Leopardstown. Watering will take place at the track before tomorrow's fixture, with the ground already good with good-to-firm patches.
Meanwhile, Adrian Maguire's star mare Celestial Wave has had to be put down shortly after being retired to stud.
IRISH GRAND NATIONAL BETTING (Paddy Power): 10-1 Homer Wells, Distant Thunder, Juveigneur; 12-1 Cane Break, Cloudy Lane; 14-1 Whyso Mayo, Oulart; 16-1 Gazza's Girl, Kings Advocate, Character Building; 20-1 Bar.
