14 declared for Cork National on Sunday

Michael Hourigan’s The Job Is Right, a winner over hurdles on the October Bank Holiday weekend, is the joint top-weight for the €50,000 Paddy Power Cork Grand National at Cork next Sunday.

The seven-year-old took the John Mulholland Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at Galway on Monday and he will carry 11st 10lbs if making a quick reappearance. Another allotted the same weight is the Mouse Morris-trained Rogue Angel, the narrow winner of the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel last month.

Dushrembrandt, trained by Robert Tyner, finished second to Vics Canvas in the race last year and he will carry 10st 10lbs this time around. Edward O’Grady’s Unoccupied was runner-up in 2013 and ran third 12 months ago and he has been allotted 10st 8lbs. Sword Fish won the race for Christy Roche in 2013 and was fourth last year and he has 10st 1lb while Eugene O’Sullivan’s A Decent Excuse will carry 10st 11lbs as he bids to improve on his fifth place in 2014.

Gordon Elliott has made two entries in the three miles and four furlongs event with Bless The Wings, third at Wexford over the weekend, set to carry 11st 4lbs and Riverside City, winner of the Ulster National at Downpatrick in March, is further down the handicap on 10st 2lbs.

Tulsa Jack won over fences for Noel Meade at Gowran Park at the beginning of the month and he has 10st 1lb in the handicap while King Leon, a winner at Clonmel and second at Punchestown last time will carry 10st 6lbs as he represents Aidan O'Brien.

The Grade 3 Paddy Power Acca Insurance EBF Novice Hurdle has attracted six entries and Gordon Elliott looks to have a strong hand with both Altiepix and the Navan bumper winner Cogryhill in the €37,500 event. Another interesting runner would be Jim Dreaper’s Goonyella who won the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March and was second in the Scottish Grand National when last seen at Ayr in April. Seven horses are entered in the Grade 3 Paddy Power Paddys Numbers Win A Million EBF Novice Chase including recent winners Captain Von Trappe, King Of The Picts, Lord Scoundrel and Shadow Catcher.

Mary Kelly, Sales and Marketing Manager of Cork Racecourse, said, “Excitement is building at Cork Racecourse Mallow ahead of one of our main racing highlights of the year, ‘The Paddy Power Cork National’. Our ground staff are working hard and everyone at the racecourse is looking forward to top class winter National Hunt racing. Having some local runners like A Decent Excuse trained by Eugene O Sullivan is a bonus and adds to the excitement.”