McCoy to partner Wichita Lineman in Irish Grand National

Tony McCoy is set to renew his winning partnership with JP McManus’s Wichita Lineman when the two pair up for the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday.

McCoy rode Wichita Lineman to victory in the William Hill Chase at Cheltenham a month ago, a performance that saw his odds slashed in the Irish Grand National betting markets, where he is currently co-favourite alongside Emma Jane.

“Wichita Lineman had quite a hard race at Cheltenham but he has also had a pretty quiet season and the intention is to run on Monday,” said McManus’s racing manager, Frank Berry.  “The plan is for Tony to ride and something like yielding to soft ground would be ideal. We wouldn’t want it too quick.”

Meanwhile, Jim Dreaper has confirmed that top-weight Notre Pere is likely to run in the 2009 Irish Grand National, after initial concerns that he might drop out of the race if the ground at Fairyhouse proved to be too hard.

“As long as the ground is safe, that is all I care about and it looks favourable at the moment,” Dreaper said. “He ran last year and he was okay after it. I’ll have a look at the track on Thursday evening but I’m sure it will be fine. The forecast is favourable too so I think there is a real chance he will run.”