Peter Scudamore's World of Racing: How the Irish are ruling by Grand design

Silver Birch's triumph on Saturday even came at the end of a season when the green and orange pillaging of British prizes appeared to have eased slightly.

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So, after a drought that lasted from L'Escargot's 1975 sinking of Red Rum until Bobbyjo's 1999 triumph, what has caused the tide to change so dramatically?

The Celtic tiger economy has undoubtedly played a part with better horses being kept at home by a generation of wealthy Irish owners.

But money alone doesn't buy a Grand National, otherwise the richest owner of them all, JP McManus, would have a field full of retired winners back at his County Limerick stud.

Are the Irish trainers simply better at their job?

Certainly, the money that allows them to retain young talent has also enabled them to construct better facilities. Some of the best-equipped stables now exist over the water.

Do they take the Grand National, now worth £700,000, more seriously?

The past few seasons would suggest they might. The Irish contenders have created a modern masterplan to prepare an Aintree contender.

A light campaign, heavily reliant on hurdling, leaving a contender fresh for his spring challenge.

Outside the McCain's stable, there have been few British stables prepared to risk a whole season around one run which might crash out at the first.

Eurotrek, pulled up at the 22nd on Saturday, is the first runner I can remember champion trainer Paul Nicholls laying out for the race.

Or is it the type of horse the big British stables tend to train these days?

Rising prices in Ireland have meant more French-breds in the major British stables.

They have excelled at shorter distances but have not threatened to win the stamina-testing National more suited to the Irish breds.

A hatful of possibilities as to why the Irish continue to lord it at Liverpool. It's a reign showing no signs of coming to an end.

You can hardly blame the riders...

Another Grand National scarred by the shambolic start. Six times starter Peter Haynes asked the jockeys to line up as tempers frayed. Each time some riders barely moved, with blindingly obvious conclusions.

Haynes has a tough job and blamed the jockeys but a lack of trust exists in the weighing room after a leading fancy was left standing at the Cheltenham Festival. After that, riders are reluctant to risk blowing their chance.

Mick rides on... and in other news, fire is hot...

The news confirmed over the weekend was no surprise for Racemail readers but none the less still very welcome. Mick Fitzgerald is riding as well as ever and remains a vital component of the Nicky Henderson stable.