Twenty-five years ago Anne Ferris became the only woman to ride the winner of an Irish National. Nina Carberry may double the tally on Garde Champetre at Fairyhouse today, writes BRIAN O'CONNOR

SOME UNCERTAINTY may surround the exact make up of today’s Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National, but none at all about the widespread feel-good factor that will surround Fairyhouse if Garde Champetre and Nina Carberry emerge as winners.

It is 25 years since Ann Ferris became the only woman to ride a winner of Ireland’s most prestigious steeplechase when the 33 to 1 shot Bentom Boy was such a surprise he paid 322 to 1 on the Tote.

Such prices rarely if ever figure around Carberry, the former champion amateur who is widely acknowledged as the finest female rider over jumps this country has produced.

As a four-time Cheltenham Festival winner, and having tasted Grade One success into the bargain, the 24-year-old is no stranger to major success, but today’s €250,000 feature could be loaded with resonance for her.

Both her brothers, Paul and Philip, have tasted success in the National on Bobbyjo (1998) and Point Barrow (2006), while her father, Tommy, trained Bobbyjo and rode Brown Lad to win back-to-back Nationals (1975-76).

It’s not just sentiment that will propel hopes of a third National victory for a Carberry sibling, as Garde Champetre is an intriguing prospect in a race that provides possibly even more of a puzzle than normal.

Uncertainty over the participation of topweight Notre Pere is set to continue to today as trainer Jim Dreaper desperately hopes for some late rain that would leave the ground safe enough for the Welsh National hero to run.

If Notre Pere comes out, then the alternative handicap rule comes into play and Wichita Lineman will rise 7lb to the minimum possible new topweight of 11st 7lb. He is one of four starters owned by JP McManus.

Arbor Supreme and Breaking Silence are also in the McManus mix, but Garde Champetre could emerge best of the champion owner’s team.

That theory revolves around the belief that the 10-year-old is a transformed character since he left ordinary “park” racing and became a champion over cross country races, winning five times at Cheltenham and Punchestown and boasting an unbeaten, five-out-of-five record under Carberry.

Over the last two years Enda Bolger has revitalised Garde Champetre, who looked out of love with the game when trained by Jonjo O’Neill.

That was a huge disappointment for many people, not least McManus who paid out 530,000 guineas for the horse, making him the most expensive ever bought at public auction, after he won a Grade Two hurdle at Aintree in 2004. Garde Champetre subsequently won just once before moving to Bolger.

The variety of cross country racing has transformed other horses, and Silver Birch proved how dangerous they can be coming off that specialised field when landing the Aintree National two years ago.

Faster ground conditions will be ideal for Garde Champetre who Bolger describes as a “real daisy cutter”, and if the weights go up he will still be under the 11st mark.

Champion trainer Willie Mullins will be triple-handed in an attempt to win his first Irish National, a race his father, Paddy, won four times.

Ruby Walsh has chosen Pomme Tiepy, but Emma Jane, who is chasing a €50,000 bonus if she wins, could be more versatile in terms of going.

Tony Martin is also represented by three runners, including last year’s runner-up, Royal County Star, while Dessie Hughes has four hopefuls.

But Garde Champetre could yet prove a particularly singular winner.

The Verdict

1. Garde Champetre

2. Emma Jane

3. Skip Two

4. Casey Jones