THE 118th running of the $450,000 Grade 1 Grand National Hurdle Stakes at Far Hills tonight has a more than usual Irish interest.

It hosts an international field of 12 with Paddy Kennedy, Davy Russell, Robbie Power, Danny Mullins, Rachael Blackmore and Paul Townend all having rides in the feature and on the card.

They join US-based Irishmen Ross Geraghty, Sean McDermott, Darren Nagle and Jack Doyle. The last three runnings have been won by Ruby Walsh, Danny Mullins and Robbie Power.

Nico de Boinville also travels to ride the Nicky Henderson-trained Brain Power and Tom Garner rides the former UK-trained Redicean.

Gordon Elliott again sends over Jury Duty (Robbie Power) who won the two-mile and five-furlong Grand National last year by over three lengths lengths. He was most recently sixth in Gowran Park’s PWC Champion Chase two weeks ago, with this week’s winner Jett behind him and the other Elliott runner, The Storyteller back in last place.

Willie Mullins is represented by the redoubtable Wicklow Brave, winner over hurdles and chase fences and a Group 1 winner on the flat. Most of his best form is over two miles but he was narrowly beaten in the Coral Cup over two miles and five furlongs at Cheltenham this year. The 10-year-old arrives with a three-race winning streak in novice chases. Paul Townend teams up again.

From the UK, Brain Power attempts a big win for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. The eight-year-old Irish-bred won Cheltenham’s Grade 2 Unibet International Hurdle last December and would have a big chance on that run but he was pulled up in the Champion Hurdle and again in the Scottish version in Ayr in April, his last run, and the distance might be a worry.

The American team also consists of some well-known names. Now owned by Rosbrian Farm, the former Jessica Harrington-trained The Holy One makes his first US start with Paddy Kennedy on board.

US trainer Leslie Young has two contenders, both formerly campaigned in Europe, Redicean and the now Bruton Street-US’s Rashaan, who was to be ridden by Jack Kennedy but Rachael Blackmore now steps in for the ride on the former Colin Kidd-trained popular performer.

The leading US contender is Surprising Soul, winner of the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles in Belmont last month. He was beaten a length by the other local hope Scorpancier in the Iroquois Hurdle in Percy Warner Park over three miles earlier in the year.

The Holy One, The Storyteller, Brain Power, Rashaan all race on first-time lasix. Wicklow Brave is the only runner not using.

Also on the card, Robbie Power rides Global Freedon for Elliott in the opening Gladstone Hurdle and Davy Russell takes over on Lethal Steps in the next PM Harry E. Harris Hurdle. Paddy Kennedy rides the morning line favourite Caldbeck, while Danny Mullins is on outsider Emerald Rock for Leslie Young.

Paul Townend and the now Bruton Street IV-owned mare Pravalaguna are short-priced favourites in the PM Peapack Hurdle for fillies and mares over two miles and a furlong.

Next up, Townend is on Days Without End for Dermot Weld in the Foxbrook Champion Hurdle.

Russell rides the former Elliott-trained Stooshie in the finale PM Appleton Hurdle where Paddy Kennedy is on Swansea Mile and Rachael Blackmore is on outsider Querry House. All the Irish are due back to ride in Cork tomorrow.