Harrington planning for another tilt at Irish Grand National for Our Duke

Jessica Harrington could aim Our Duke towards a run at retaining the Irish Grand National in Fairyhouse in just over five weeks' time after he topped the weight for entrants in this year's race.

Harrington has stated that the eight-year-old could feature in the Boylesports Irish Grand National if he comes back from the Cheltenham Festival in good form. Our Duke booked his ticket for the Cheltenham Gold Cup next month by winning the Red Mills Chase in Gowran Park last Saturday, part of an impressive double for Harrington as Forge Meadow also recorded a fine victory.

"He has come out of Saturday's race at Gowran Park in great shape and while the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the immediate target, the BoyleSports Irish Grand National is very much on the radar," said Harrington.

"His owners, the Cooper Family Syndicate, had the day of their lives at Fairyhouse last Easter Monday and will never forget the rapturous reception he received."

Harrington said that he will race in either the Grand National or in the Punchestown Festival towards the end of April, but would rather aim for the former.

"Depending on how he gets on at Cheltenham, his next run after that could be the Irish National or Punchestown. We would favour going back for the Irish National, but it will depend on how he gets on at Cheltenham and how he comes out of the race."

Other notable entrants for the Grand National that were announced today are Joseph O'Brien's Edwulf, Gordon Elliott's Outlander and Tony Martin's Anibale Fly.