Ferdy Murphy is keeping his fingers crossed that Timmy Murphy will be free to partner Poker De Sivola in Monday's Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

The trainer, who won the race in 2004 with Granit D'Estruval, will learn today whether or not Murphy will be released from his retainer with owner David Johnson.

Poker De Sivola was a well-backed seventh to Character Building in the Fulke Walwyn/Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival under Nina Carberry.

But Murphy has been forced into a jockey change for the three-mile five-furlong handicap chase.
He said: “Nina is not available, so I'm hoping to get Timmy to ride. If he has other commitments, then there'll be no shortage of jockeys wanting to ride Poker De Sivola.”

The ground at Fairyhouse remains good to yielding with showers forecast over the weekend.

“Good to soft ground is perfect for him,” said Murphy of the 25-1 chance. “That's what it was when he ran his best race in a novices' chase at Newbury in December [second to Shouldhavehadthat] and Timmy rode him that day.”

Brothers Paul and Philip Carberry won the Irish National on Bobbyjo (1998) and Point Barrow (2006) respectively, with father Tommy successful in 1975 and 1976 aboard Brown Lad and Nina is hoping to make it a clean sweep for Ireland's No1 racing family.

On her third attempt to win the race, the 24-year-old will ride Garde Champetre, whom she has partnered to two successive victories in the cross-country chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Enda Bolger's charge has been a revelation since he went over to be trained in Ireland following spells with Paul Nicholls and more recently Jonjo O'Neill.

And Carberry is looking forward to riding the lightly-campaigned 10-year-old, who has fallen just once in 28 starts, in the big race.

She said: “It is great to ride a horse I've won on before and have a relationship with.

“He jumps nice enough and will go on any ground.”

HillS: 9 Notre Pere, Royal County Star, Wichita Lineman, 10 Emma Jane, Pomme Tiepy, 11 Arbor Supreme, 12 Casey Jones, Drumconvis, 14 Garde Champetre, 16 bar.