Lucky 13 for Fairyhouse feature

Thirteen could be set to become THE lucky number as far as Meath trainer Gordon Elliott is concerned in his bid for a first Irish Grand National on Monday at Fairyhouse.

The Summerhill man has some 13 runners in the Easter Monday feature and with a first prize of €270,000, a win in the big race would also boost the prospects of a first NH trainers' title.

Willie Mullins is the current champion having taken over the reins from another Meath man, Noel Meade, a decade ago.

Elliott's lucky 13 are Folsom Blue, Monbeg Notorious, Outlander, Dounikos, Lord Scoundrel, Tell Us More, Jetstream Jack, The Paparrazi Kid, General Principle, Bless The Wings, Sutton Manor, Squouateur and Woods Well

Mullins has four runners Bellshill, Pairofbrowneyes, Kemboy and Isleofhopeanddreams while Meade will be two-handed with Snow Falcon and Moulin A Vent.

If you want to back a horse with a chance and not trained by the big three why not try the Edward Cawley (Batterstown) runner Forever Gold which has just got in at number 30 on a light weight of 9-10 with a five-pound claim to come off that!!!

SUNDAY
Amazingly, or not (maybe) - Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott will be the only two trainers with runners in the Ryanair Gold Cup on Sunday.

GET A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES AT FAIRYHOUSE