Fairyhouse hero Intense Raffles to be campaigned over hurdles - but Aintree still the target for Grand National second favourite

All roads still lead to Aintree for Grand National second favourite Intense Raffles but he will be kept over hurdles for now, starting at Navan on December 7, according to trainer Tom Gibney.

The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned Irish National winner has been a revelation since joining Gibney's yard from France in 2023, winning all three races in Ireland. His winning run began in a novice chase at Fairyhouse on his stable debut before he landed a four-runner race by 43 lengths.

Intense Raffles was a leading fancy for the Irish Grand National in April on his handicap chase debut and put in a resolute display to emerge victorious by a length and a half over Any Second Now, enhancing his flawless course form and giving Gibney his second win in the race after Lion Na Bearnai in 2012.