2010 IRISH GRAND NATIONAL LATEST TIPS AND SELECTIONS

Fairyhouse hosts the running of the 2010 Irish Grand National on Monday and the field looks to be wide open as we get closer to the 4:05 post time. Currently, Saddlers Storm is trading as the favourite with a price hovering around the 11/2-13/2 corridor with most major bookmakers. 

The classy 8 year-old has taken three wins on the bounce (all against fields of 11 or more) since January and he'll certainly be looking to add to his total here. I expect him to sit in mid-pack and then launch a determined raid about 3/4's of the way home. If he doesn't have issues with too much traffic and is able to handle surface appropriately, then I think he's a justifiable favourite. 
Paul Nolan's Alpha Ridge is running 2272 for the season and has put in some solid performances but just can't seem to find the finish line first. He'll need to dig deep to get the score here, but it's not out of the question especially if he doesn't make any early mistakes as that's been working against him in his past two races. The 8 year-old bay trades at 9/1. 
Telenoor is fresh off a Grade 2 score at Navan where he bested a decent-looking field of 10- looking game the entire way. He's a decent shout in this race, especially with a 12/1 price offering up a solid win-only payday. He's not one for the each-ways per se, but should certainly be there-or-thereabouts. He ran 3rd to the respected Jered last November in a beginners chase at Punchestown. I think he could progress here. 
If you're looking for a longer-odds selection, I sort of like the looks of Double Dizzy- who put in a good shift in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham with an eigth place finish that saw him fade on the last two. I think with this race certain to be run a bit more in his favour, Double Dizzy is a decent each-way shout here. He's run against some very solid competition in the past and has competed at a higher level than some of his competitors in the 2010 Irish Grand National. Today could be the day he makes a real statement and the 40/1 price is a solid one on a decent spoiler. Each-way for sure. 
Michael Hourigan's Dancing Tornado is a decent shout that deserves a mention at least. The JP McManus-owned 9 year-old took a Grade 2 at Limerick around Christmas Time and just scored in a handicap hurdle at Naas three weeks ago. He ran 3rd to the classy Big Zeb in a run over this surface last year. Worth a second look at 25/1 with most major bookmakers. 
Paddy Power is paying out a full 5 places on this race as well, so that's something to keep in mind if you're looking to back any each-way selections or place bets.