Racing: Four British runners in Irish Grand National

THERE WERE four British-trained runners among the 20 declared yesterday for the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. Celtic Giant, winner of the Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, is 7-1 second favourite to Manus The Man (13-2) with Stanley. Robbie Supple rides.

Rightsaidfred (14-1), trained by Anna Newton-Smith, will be ridden by Graham Bradley. Kim Bailey has declared Druid's Brook (16-1) and Philip Hobbs has engaged Brendan Powell to ride Full Of Oats (16-1). Norman Williamson will renew his association with Bob Treacy (15-2), who has 11st 10lb. Papillon is the top weight on 12st. Rightsaidfred has 10st 12lb, Celtic Giant 10st 9lb and Druid's Brook 10st 5lb.

Addington Boy completed his serious Grand National preparation with a schooling session at Middleham yesterday. Partnered by Adrian Maguire, the 11-year-old jumped two replica National fences twice.

The Toiseach will miss the Whitbread Gold Cup and will not run again this season following a setback.

Mark Johnston's filly Atlantic Destiny is likely to reappear in the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on 13 April. The Middleham trainer said: "She has done well and we'll go there with a view to running her in the 1,000 Guineas."

Stable-companion Spirit Of Love, who won the Cesarewitch, runs in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on 28 April.

Coral have broken new ground by offering ante-post prices on the Ascot Gold Cup, the July Cup, and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.

Royal Anthem is Coral's 5-1 favourite for the King George, with last year's Derby winner, High Rise, the Eclipse Stakes winner, Daylami and Sagamix 8-1 co second favourites.

The Dubai World Cup winner Almutawakel is on offer at 10-1 alongside Sagamix. In the July Cup, Diktat, Lujain and Stravinsky head Coral's list at 8-1, with Bianconi next best at 10-1. Last year's Ascot Gold Cup winner, Kayf Tara, is the 5-1 favourite for this year's renewal, while Spirit Of Love is the 6-1 second favourite.

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