Runner-up to Braeside in the Cork Grand National last year, soft ground specialist Screaming Colours is reported to be in good shape as he bids to go one place better in the Paddy Power-sponsored feature at the southern venue this afternoon.

Bill Durkan’s top-weight had his finest hour under Conor Orr when an emphatic winner of the Midlands National at Uttoxeter in March and was a very creditable fourth in the Irish National the following month. He was pulled up in the Grade 1 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris when last seen in May but, with a fine record fresh and underfoot conditions to suit, connections are hopeful of a big run under new rider Johnny Barry.

“He’s in the form of his life and is as fit as a flea,” said assistant trainer Gary Bannon.

“Last year we didn’t have the smoothest of passages going into the race and it was a struggle to have him ready, but he still ran well to be second. We’ve had a clear run with him this time and he goes well fresh. His usual rider, Conor Orr, is just taking a break from race-riding at the moment but he still comes into me two or three days a week and is a big part of the team. He told me the other day that he felt the horse was in great order and that he really fancied him to go well at Cork.

“Bill’s son-in-law Richard Lombard, who has taken part in a few charity races, has been riding him out most days and gets on well with the horse. For a horse who’s normally lazy, he’s been working very well. We all feel he’s bouncing and and I’ll be very disappointed if he’s not bang there turning for home this afternoon.

“We haven’t seen him since Auteuil in May but he didn’t take to the fences over there and Conor looked after him and wisely pulled him up.

“He loved the soft ground when he was impressive at Uttoxeter and he probably could have finished a bit closer than fourth at Fairyhouse. He met a bit of traffic on the home turn that day which was crucial as he lacks a gear and takes a while to pick up again, and he missed the last as well.

“The heavy ground will play to his advantage and, even though I’m not that religious, I’ve been saying a few prayers this week in the hope that the meeting went ahead as this has been the plan since last season!

“Johnny Barry sat up on him at the Curragh recently and loved him. He schools some of my young horses and I’ve known him a long time. He’s very experienced and knowledgeable and I’m very happy to have him on board claiming a valuable 3lb.

"Hopefully he comes out of today's race in good shape and then we'll freshen him up with a view to going for the Welsh National just after Christmas. He was all set to go last year but a late setback meant he had to miss the race, so we have unfinished business in that respect. We'll see what happens later in the season but he may head back to Uttoxeter to try and defend his crown in the Midlands National. In terms of ratings, it will obviously be harder but for a horse soon turning twelve he hasn't had a lot of racing."

Regarding some of the other inmates at the Durkan yard in Glencullen, Bannon added:“Favourite Moon relishes soft ground and is improving over hurdles. We had thought about bringing him to Cheltenham this month but that may come too soon after his win at Galway. He may run in a 2m6f novice hurdle on John Durkan Chase day at Punchestown next month and it would be great for the family to have a runner in that. I think we won’t see the best of him over hurdles until he goes up to three miles.

“The Priests Leap, who I pre-trained before he went to Arthur Moore, is back with us and he’s owned by Bill’s son Danny under the name of his company, Dargle Equine Limited. I was pleased with his run at Wexford the other day when he was fourth in a hot beginners’ chase. We’ll put the hood back on him next time and I have a rated novice chase at Fairyhouse later this month in mind as his next target. If we can get him to settle a bit better, he’s a horse that could be competitive off a light weight in some of the better two-mile handicap chases.

“Baltic Bird is a Frankel horse that the family bought recently for 70,000 guineas at the Horses In Training Sale and he was promising earlier in the year for John Gosden before his form tailed off a bit. We’ve gelded him and he’s due to come into training next week. He’ll go juvenile hurdling and will be a nice prospect if he takes to jumping.

“Bill and the family are enjoying their racing at the moment and are supporting me very much. We’ve a few young store horses as well and have a nice team at the moment. We’ve upped the quality in the yard and have filled a few more of the boxes. Recent results have been good and hopefully we’ve a good season ahead of us.”