Celtic Giant was yesterday given the go-ahead to tackle Monday's Jameson Irish Grand National. The latest report from Fairyhouse has convinced Len Lungo that the going will be suitable for his Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase winner.
"He must not have it too soft and after discussing it with the owner this morning we have decided to run," the trainer said.
"I have spoken to my friend Tony Martin, who is about 15 miles away, and he said it is faster than the Cheltenham ground. But we haven't decided on a rider as we are likely to have a lot of runners at Carlisle on Monday." Celtic Giant, ridden by Bruce Gibson when 14 length winner of the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, was made favourite for the National when betting opened. But Lungo warned: "There are no guarantees with Celtic Giant as he has a fibrillating heart and we are going for a sporting day out.
"He showed what he could do at Cheltenham but I would advise all punters that he could jump a few fences and then feel the pinch and not run his race."
William Hill reacted by reintroducing Celtic Giant into their betting as 7 to 1 co-favourite of four.
William Hill betting: 7-1 Bob Treacy, Celtic Giant, Manus The Man, Papillon, 10-1 Glebe Lad, Hollybank Buck, Roundwood, 12-1 bar.
Paddy Power: 6-1 Manus The Man, 7-1 Papillon and Bob Treacy, 8-1 Celtic Giant and Glebe Lad, 10-1 Hollybank Buck and Foxchapel King, 12-1 The Quads, Roundwood, Feathered Leader and Rightsaidfred, 16-1 Promalee and Time For A Run, 20-1 Full Of Oats and Risk Of Thunder, 25-1 Rocketts Castle, 33-1 Tartooth and Fanfaron, 40-1 Go Go Gallant and Ultra Flutter.
Rolo Tomasi, the winner of last season's Goffs £100,000 Challenge, is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the Castlemartin & Louviere Studs Gladness Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday week.
The colt was a £2,500 second entry for the Irish 2,000 Guineas and his trainer, Eddie Lynam, want to see how he fares over seven furlongs. The trainer said yesterday: "The Gladness should tell us a lot about Rolo Tomasi's stamina and whether we should go for the the Guineas or send him sprinting."
Dermot Weld, successful with Careafolie in the 1988 Gladness, intends running Two-Twenty-Two, a Group Three winner at Tipperary on his final start last season. " The colt is in great form and is a definite runner, Weld said yesterday.
However, the John Oxx stable may not be represented in the race. The trainer said that the filly, Mille Miglia, is only possible runner.
David Evans and John Egan yesterday lost their appeals against a £1,000 fine and sevenday suspension respectively for a breach of the "non-trier" rules at Doncaster.
The pair, who had their deposits returned, were punished for the performance of Tommy Tittlemouse, who finished fifth in the Mexborough Maiden.
