Point Barrow out of 2008 Irish Grand National

Pat Hughes, trainer of 2006 Irish Grand National winner Point Barrow, is set to snub the race organizers at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival in favour of a trip to the 2008 Grand National at Aintree. Point Barrow carried Phillip Carberry to victory at the 2006 Irish Grand National carrying a weight of 10st 8lbs.

Point Barrow has endured a torrid time since claiming his biggest career win at Fairyhouse in 2006, failing to make an impression at the Grand National in 2007 despite entering the race as joint favourite. Prior to the year’s two big Nationals, Pat Hughes had suggested that the Irish version would be preferred over a run at Aintree.

Hughes claims his decision to run Point Barrow at Aintree is the result of the generous price given to his charge in the Grand National betting markets, with Point Barrow priced 20-1 by several leading bookmakers. To avoid a repeat of Point Barrow’s fall at last year’s renewal, Pat Hughes has been schooling his charge over the Aintree fences.

Point Barrow’s withdrawal is not a major setback for the 2008 Irish Grand National which boasts a field rich in talent. The odds for the 2008 Irish Grand National reflect this with a large portion of the field priced under 25-1 by William Hill.