THE upside of an early Easter this year – as well as the fact that you get to eat chocolate again earlier in the year than you could ever have imagined – is that Fairyhouse is early, therefore you can have a nice break after running at the Irish National meeting before preparing for Punchestown. The downside is that it makes Cheltenham and Aintree tricky for Fairyhouse horses.

There are implications. For example, it means that the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham may not be the Irish National pointer that it often is.

It will be a big ask to run well in both. Noel Meade, for example, has already said that Bonny Kate will probably be kept for the Irish National. She may still take up her engagement in the National Hunt Chase but, if she does, it will probably be instead of the Irish National, not as well as it.

When Niche Market won the Irish National in 2009, after finishing eighth in the National Hunt Chase, there were almost five weeks between the two races. When Butler’s Cabin won the Irish National, having won the National Hunt Chase, there were three and a half weeks between the two races.

When Shutthefrontdoor won the Irish National, having finished sixth in the National Hunt Chase in 2014, there were almost six weeks between the two races.

And last year, there were almost four weeks between Thunder And Roses’ unseat in the National Hunt Chase and his victory in the Irish National.

This year, there are just 13 days between the two races. It’s not impossible, but it will take a hardy horse to run in the Cheltenham race and win the Irish National.

FINE Gael say that there is no way they will go into coalition with Fianna Fáil. Fianna Fáil say there is no way that they will go into coalition with Fine Gael. Paddy Power say 8/13 a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition.

Of the three statements, which do you think is the most accurate assessment of where we stand at present?