IRISH-TRAINED raiders have landed the Grand National three times in the past six years and Numbersixvalverde is fancied to add to that tally in the John Smith’s-sponsored showpiece at Aintree in April.

A novice when winning the Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse last May, connections have been careful not to ruin his handicap mark since then and that remains his only run beyond three miles. He has still had just ten starts over fences and, open to plenty of improvement, looks fairly treated off a mark of 138. The biggest concern for Numbersixvalverde would be if the ground came up firm, but the National course tends to be well watered these days and it is unlikely to be a problem. He rates value at 25-1 with totesport.

Clan Royal, runner-up two years ago and leading when taken out by a loose horse last term, heads the market. He has shaped well enough in two starts over hurdles this season and, off the same mark as last year, should again give his backers a run for their money.