LAST YEAR’S Irish Grand National hero, Hear The Echo, could attempt to defend his Fairyhouse crown on Easter Monday instead of running in the Aintree Grand National, reports Brian O’Connor.

Hear The Echo is a general 20 to 1 shot for Liverpool but his trainer Mouse Morris remains unhappy with the 10st 11lb weight allotted to the Michael O’Leary-owned horse by the English handicapper.

“With the weights the way they are, maybe we will go for the Irish National instead. He will be 18lb better off. He is only getting 4lb off War Of Attrition at Liverpool and that makes no sense to me. If I was logical there is no question about it but being a trainer, we’re not very logical!” Morris said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Co Down trainer Liam Lennon was fined €130 by the Turf Club’s referrals committee at a hearing in Downpatrick yesterday after the horse Don’t Panic was found to have tested positive for the prohibited substance Dembrexine after winning a bumper at Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day. Don’t Panic was disqualified and the race awarded to Hughies Grey.