By Cornelius Lysaght BBC racing correspondent

Paul Carberry and Bobbyjo won the National in 1999

We always used to trot out the same old stat at Aintree with monotonous regularity:

"There hasn't been an Irish-trained winner of the Grand National since L'Escargot, ridden by Tommy Carberry back in 1975."

But eight years ago, Bobbyjo, trained by Carberry and ridden by his son Paul, turned a corner for Ireland's challenge even more significant than an acute jump across the famous Canal Turn.

Twelve months later came Papillon, followed by Monty's Pass (2003), Hedgehunter (2005) and last year Numbersixvalverde.

Nowadays the most over-used stat on the subject revolves around "five" and "the last eight".

And with the two most recent victors, plus an Irish Grand National hero in Point Barrow, and Dun Doire, a Cheltenham Festival winner in 2006, all due to line up for Ireland, it's little wonder the bookies are taking no chances.

Ladbrokes have them as short as 4-5 to make it six wins out of nine in the race on which about �250m will be turned over.

There are, however, some reasons for the home team to be optimistic.

Despite another apparently strong raiding party on the Cheltenham Festival in March, the Irish went home with just five winners.

And in Ireland's Grand National on Easter Monday, Cheltenham Festival winner Butler's Cabin (Tony McCoy) led a rare one-two for British-trained horses.

Another corner may be in the process of being turned.

Paul Carberry will ride Point Barrow in the Grand National

And, let's be honest, Britain's hopefuls like Joe's Edge (also successful at the Festival), Eurotrek (a winner over the big Aintree fences this season), Idle Talk (from the famous McCain stable) and Simon (a good jumper with stamina) represent a jolly strong hand.

But whatever happens, brothers Paul and Philip Carberry will be securing a slice of Aintree's colourful history for the Irish on Dun Doire and Point Barrow respectively.

Although Paul and his younger sister Nina were in the line-up for last year's race, they partnered outsiders, but this time the Carberry boys are each riding favourites.

They are part of probably the biggest racing dynasty of modern times but, I have to tell you, they still have work to do to catch the Beasleys, all jockeys in the 19th century.

In 1879, no less than four brothers - Tommy, Harry, Willie and John - were all in the line-up, with three completing the famous course.

A fact rather than a stat maybe, but certainly not monotonous, and a certainty to get a run-out on the big day, I feel.