The trainer, who is also represented by Kings Advocate, had been concerned the ground was drying out too much for Cane Brake in the run-up to Friday's declaration deadline but the eightyear-old figures among the 30 acceptors for the traditional Easter Monday centrepiece.

Taaffe's charge, winner of both the Troytown and Paddy Power Chase, is generally quoted as a 10-1 chance but Juveigneur, one of three English raiders for the three-mile, five-furlong contest, has been more popular with ante-post punters in recent days. The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding occupied the runnerup spot in Cheltenham's William Hill Chase and has been backed from 12-1 in to 91 with Boylesports.

Juveigneur is joined in the line-up by fellow compatriots Distant Thunder, from the Noel Chance stable, Jonjo O'Neill's Butler's Cabin and the Donald McCain-trained Cloudy Lane. The last-named pair are chasing an added bonus of ?100,000 which is on offer to any English-trained horse who was successful at this year's Cheltenham Festival and goes on to win the Irish Grand National.

Cloudy Lane has a good chance off his nice weight while Butler's Cabin proved he jumps and he stays when landing the NH Chase at Cheltenham. Another factor in Butler's Cabin's favour is the statistic that shows that seven-year-olds have the best record in the race.

With Point Barrow, last year's winner, having been rerouted to Aintree for next Saturday's John Smith's Grand National, the race is really wide open but Ross River, Whyso Mayo, A New Story and Dix Villez are all worthy of respect.

Ross River carries the hopes of trainer Tony Martin, whose Dun Doire has been pleasing him in his build-up to Aintree, while Michael Hourigan's A New Story finished third behind Point Barrow in last year's race. He went on to chase home the same horse in the Pierse Handicap Chase at Leopardstown and as his trainer said: "Hopefully he'll put up another decent show."

Dix Villez is one of two runners in the race for Paul Nolan, Kill Devil Hill being the other, and he hasn't run since finishing third in the Cork Grand National over three-and-a-half miles last November. Nolan is on record as saying, "He wants decent ground and a trip."

Last year's Cheltenham Foxhunters winner Whyso Mayo is an interesting runner from the point-to-point field.

He was well-fancied to repeat his Foxhunters victory this year, only to blunder badly at the first fence and ultimately finish second in the race. A bold show can be expected from Ray Hurley's runner.

Take a chance with Butler's Cabin to prevail at the expense of Whyso Mayo and Juveigneur.

The Easter Fairyhouse meeting kicks off today with the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup as the feature event. The Arthur Moore-trained King Johns Castle turns out here in preference to the Irish National, and that is a pointer in itself, but Cailin Alainn holds more appeal.

Racing also takes place at Cork this afternoon where Aidan O'Brien's Classic hope Albert Einstein stands head and shoulders above his rivals in the Coolmore Spartacus Maiden. Take A Tangle may be good enough for the Blarney Handicap and the vote in the Fermoy Handicap goes to recent Thurles runner-up Tashadelek.

David Kiely's Liscooney should find the underfoot conditions more to his liking in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, as should Peoples Cause in the Aramark Novice Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Tomorrow, Fairyhouse Live, RTE One, 1.55