RACING: ENGLISH GRAND NATIONALIreland are odds-on to claim their first English Grand National in six years following the first entry stage for the Aintree showpiece. Irish-trained horses have landed the near-four-and-a-half-mile contest on six occasions since Bobbyjo struck for the Carberry family in 1999, but have not struck gold since Gordon Elliott's Silver Birch in 2007.

That could all change this year, however, with Ladbrokes offering just 4 to 6 for the most valuable prize in National Hunt racing going to Ireland on April 6th.

Current ante-post favourites are the Willie Mullins-trained, Graham Wylie-owned Prince De Beauchene and On His Own, while Ted Walsh’s Seabass, third in last year’s renewal, is also among the 32 Irish contenders.

Walsh, who won the race in 2000 with Papillon, has also put in Leopardstown winner Colbert Station.

Elliott has six entries this year, including the high-class Jessies Dream, who has not been seen since finishing second in the 2011 RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

The last two winners of the Irish National – Organisedconfusion (2011) and Lion Na Bearnai (2012) – are also engaged.

Former Gold Cup hero Imperial Commander has been entered, although his participation is thought unlikely.

For the first time, the race will take place over the new distance of four miles, three furlongs and about 110 yards, with the start moved closer to the first fence.