This year’s Aintree Foxhunter’s is without the Cheltenham Foxhunters one-two, Billaway and Winged Leader, which leaves just three Irish-trained runners.
Ciaran Murphy launches a two-pronged attack with Michael’s Pick coming into the race off the back of a Hunter Chase win at Downpatrick just 17 days ago, with his brother Aaron Murphy set to take the ride.
Ciaran’s second runner in the race is Down The Highway, a nine-year-old son of The Duke Of Marmalade. He is coming into the race off the back of a point-to-point win at Lisronagh 38 days ago. Timmy Love, grandson of former trainer Dot Love retains the ride.
This will be Timmy’s first ride across the Irish Sea and consequently his first ride over the national fences.
The third Irish-trained entry in this year's event is the J.P Mcmanus-owned Stand Up And Fight. The 10-year-old, who was narrowly denied in a Ladies open at Nenagh recently, will provide Aine O’Connor with her first ride in the Aintree spectacle.
Enda Bolger, however is no stranger to the winner’s enclosure in Aintree, having trained On The Fringe to win the race in 2015 and 2016 and also trained the 1999 winner with Elegant Lord.
