AS Irish racing gets back on track after a tragic week, the highlight of the weekend is at Fairyhouse with a recognised Grand National Trial, the three miles and two furlongs Grade 3 Follow @ToteRacing On Twitter Bobbyjo Chase, up for decision.

The race is called after the Carberrys’ 1999 Aintree winner Bobbyjo, and although missing last year’s Aintree winner I Am Maximus, it has two leading contenders for this year’s renewal, to be run on April 6th.

J.J. Slevin takes the mount again on last year’s Irish Grand National winner, Intense Raffles for Tom Gibney. The 2024 Fairyhouse winner has been prepping over hurdles ahead of the Aintree spectacular, where he was given 10st 10lb last week.

J.P. McManus celebrated a double on last year’s card at Fairyhouse, and looks to have a strong chance of repeating the feat, with I Am Maximus seeking back-to-back wins in the Bobbyjo Chase and the Gavin Cromwell-trained Bioluminenescence favourite for the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Colreevy Mares Novice Chase.

With I Am Maximus who used this as his warm-up for his famous Aintree win last year, Brian Hayes steps in for the ride on Thyestes Chase winner, Nick Rockett. It’s a race Willie Mullins has won in eight of the last nine years.

Tough decision

“Nick Rockett would look the one at the weights,” said Mullins said this week. “It was tough for Paul to have to make the decision, but he won the National on I Am Maximus and it would be very hard to get off him at a track that he likes and runs well on.

“Nick Rockett would look to be nicely placed in this race.

“I was very pleased with Capodanno’s recent work and we also have Minella Cocooner. They all have their chance, but on paper you’d have to think that Nick Rockett looks the part.”

Both I Am Maximus and Intense Raffles are around 12/1 for the National proper, where Nick Rockett is currently around 16/1 and an impressive win here could see one of them head the National market.

Bioluminescence is currently second favourite for the Mares Chase at the Festival, and trainer Gavin Cromwell reported: “It wasn’t the plan until it was rescheduled to Fairyhouse. She was never going to be running in Thurles on nice ground.

“She has a 10lb penalty, which is obviously a big burden to carry, but she’s a big mare and would be a good mare to carry weight. “Hopefully, she has the class and the more rain that falls, the better for her too.”