Repeat seeking One For Arthur among National 18

Irish Point-to-Points will be represented by almost half of the field in Saturday’s £1 million Randox Health Aintree Grand National, with 18 of the 40 confirmed runners having begun their careers between the flags in Ireland.

The back-to-back successes of Rule The World in 2016 and One For Arthur in 2017 ensures they have won two of the last three renewals, with One For Arthur once again featuring for Lucinda Russell, as having been forced to miss out on last year’s race through injury, the now 10-year-old is once again reunited with Derek Fox for what is just his third start since his big 2017 success.

Rathvinden, a final-fence casualty at Toomebridge for Ian Ferguson, features most prominently in the betting of the 18 point-to-pointers, after coming in for support following the confirmation that he had been selected by Ruby Walsh.

John Costello’s Laurencetown winner Pleasant Company was so cruelly denied by Tiger Roll last year, and the two once again locks horns 12 months later, whilst Ballyarthur-third Jury Duty is out to capture his second national of the season, having won the American equivalent at Fair Hills back in October.

George Stewart’s Step Back is unlike many of the ex-Irish point-to-pointers in the line-up, given that he won no fewer than three races between the flags before being sold to Mark Bradstock, with his successes coming at Kirkistown, Oldcastle and Broughshane.

Donnchadh Doyle’s Go Conquer was out of luck in two outings between the flags, coming to grief on both occasions, but a recent success at Doncaster sees him as a 33/1 shot.

The team of point-to-pointers is completed by Outlander, Minella Rocco, Ballyoptic, Dounikos, Magic Of Light, Monbeg Notorious, Ramses De Teillee, Just A Par, Up For Review, General Principle, Livelovelaugh and Folsom Blue.