The Irish Grand National is a jumps race, run on the final day of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival each year. The race is one of the longer races on the calendar, run over 3 miles and 5 furlongs, making it slightly longer than the Gold Cup, and around 5 furlongs shorter than the English Grand National. There are a total of 24 fences to be jumped this year there are thirty participants competing for a first prize of €275k.
I have listed the engaged runners below and assessed their chances individually with a rating out of five stars below.
1. Royal Pagaille
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Royal Pagaille Was far from disgraced when finishing 6/13 to Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup despite having a couple of months off. The more rains that falls the better for this nine-year-old gelding. Winning this race off top weight used to be quite common, but no horse has done so since Flashing Steel in 1995 and that looks set to continue. He represents a trainer who has enjoyed another fine year but it would be a monumental performance to win this giving so much weight away and over a trip that will test his stamina to the limit.
Star Rating: **
2. Espanito Bello
Trainer: Barry Connell
Jockey: Mikey O’Sullivan (5)
Espanito Bello came here in similar form last year and trailed in some 70 lengths behind Lord lariat when finishing 18/28 runners. He is off a four pound higher mark this time around and whilst he will thrive under such testing conditions, he has never troubled the judge in three previous attempts at this course. He will need a lot of luck in running and will need a career best performance despite being partnered by Mikey O’Sullivan who is riding out of his skin at the moment.
Star Rating: **
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3. Busselton
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Jockey: Shane Fitzgerald (3)
A first visit to Fairyhouse for the six-year-old. He had a prep for this when contesting a Grade 2 race at Navan a few weeks ago. The step back into handicap company will certainly suit him but his chances seem to be weather dependant as most of his wins have been on some form of good ground. Shane Fitzgerald takes off an invaluable three pounds and other runs and they have to be considered if the rain stays away (although that seems unlikely). He has won in blinkers before and interesting that the yard reach for them instead of the cheekpieces that were applied last day.
Star Rating ***
4. I Am Maximus
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
I Am Maximus is just fresh from his Cheltenham exertions in the Brown Advisory where the market suggested that he had absolutely no chance. He possibly put in the performance of his career to finish fourth and was doing all of his best work in the closing stages when chasing home The Real Whacker. The yard won this with a similar type in Burrows Saint back in 2019 and he was only beaten a short head at this track when making his debut appearance for Willie Mullins having joined from the yard of Nicky Henderson. His chance looks obvious and his trainer clearly thinks he will see out the extra half mile.
Star Rating ****
5. Chemical Energy
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Keith Donohoe
Ran a respectable race in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham over this trip and may well have finished closer to Gaillard Du Mesnil but for being hampered at the sixteenth fence and then making a blunder at the eighteenth. A return to this track will certainly be in his favour as he is one from one here and is still only relatively lightly raced for a seven-year-old. Gordon Elliott won this race with General Principal back in 2018 and he has to have another live contender in Chemical Energy here.
Star Rating ****
6. The Goffer
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Denis O’Regan
The Goffer has been in the form of his life this season and has already notched up good wins at Thurles and Leopardstown over the larger obstacles this season. He didn’t seem to see out the extended three miles at Cheltenham when last seen finishing fourth to Corach Rambler in the Ultima Handicap Chase. This extra half mile may well just see him stretched one step too far and ultimately he looks vulnerable,
Star Rating **
7. Thedevilscoachman
Trainer: Noel Meade
Jockey: Mark Walsh
This is a Graded performer lining up against regular handicappers mostly and he is another that has enjoyed a very profitable year. He has won four of his last five starts and the only loss came when he fell at this track in the Drinmore Novices’ Chase back in December. He has tried to win at this track here three times in the past and all attempts have ended in failure. He has no experience in running in fields of this size and that is somewhat off-putting. He probably deserves his place at the head of the market but still has questions to answer coming into this.
Star Rating ***
8. Ash Tree Meadow
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Sean Flanagan
Ash Tree Meadow bids to defy a near six-month absence to win this on a belated seasonal reappearance for Gordon Elliott. Whilst he has run well when fresh in the past, he has never won first time out. He has no experience competing over a trip as far as this so stamina has to be taken on trust. Connections have once again reached for his customary tongue strap which he often runs well with when applied. He has also gone most of his winning on a sound surface, so conditions too are an unknown quantity.
Star Rating **
9. Fire Attack
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Jockey: Richard Deegan
Showed absolutely nothing on heavy ground when last seen trailing home in last place behind Any Second Now in a Grade 2 at Navan last month. Prior to that he had suffered two falls in succession and it has clearly dented his confidence. This is a massive step into the unknown and he cannot be suggested as a viable selection again until he regathers some momentum. Readily passed over
Star Rating *
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10. Max Flamingo
Trainer: Francis Casey
Jockey: Conor Maxwell
Was well supported in this race last year and ran a fair enough race to finish eight lengths behind Lord Lariat. He has been dropped two pounds since then by the handicapper so has been given a chance. Unfortunately for him, he comes here in worse form than last season and just seems to have lost his way. He was unsighted when finishing 13/17 in a handicap hurdle behind Perceval Legallois in preparation for this. If he bounces back to his best he is in with a squeak.
Star Rating **
11. Dolcita
Trainer: Willie Mullis
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Dolcita has never run in a race featuring this many runners before and that inexperience will count against her. It is also her first foray into handicaps and again that lack of knowledge will find her out. She needs to dramatically improve on what she showed when toiling some 37 lengths behind Impervious in the Paddy Power Mares’ race at Cheltenham. She won’t mind the testing ground but stamina is also far from guaranteed. Best to looks elsewhere.
Star Rating **
12. Lieutenant Command
Trainer: Noel Meade
Jockey: Liam McKenna (3)
Got off the mark for the first time this season when beating Mars Harper at Leopardstown over two-miles-and-six-furlongs. The grey son of Kendargent made the most of his free falling handicap mark to pop in at rewarding odds of 18/1. Whilst his confidence will have been boosted by that success, there are no guarantees that he will see out this extra mile on such testing ground. He did win a beginners’ chase here back in November 2021 but that is all that he has going for him. Very much a mixed bag and a repeat of his most recent run cannot be assured.
Star Rating **
13. Tenzing
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Sean O’Keefe
An intriguing runner as he is so lightly raced. He looks a thorough stayer and whilst beaten 25 lengths in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time, he has had his sights lowered and now drops into handicap company. He ran well at this track behind the well regarded Gerri Colombe back in November and although no match for Gaillard Du Mesnil in that last race, he could well make the frame here. He romped home in the mud when winning the only race of his short career so far at Cork last season. He looks a player in a race of this nature.
Star Rating ****
14. Panda Boy
Trainer: Martin Brassil
Jockey: Ricky Doyle
Has experience of winning in large fields in the past so that is certainly in his favour albeit over hurdles. That win came in December 2021 where he won a Pertemps qualifier at Leopardstown over three miles. Whilst he made the perfect transition to the larger fences in April 2022, he has not found winning so easy since. He ran a race full of promise again at Leopardstown in the Paddy Power Chase over three miles. He was given a small break and then fell last time out. If he can get over that fall, the form of his previous run was beginning to work out with the likes of Aint That A Shame and Carefully Selected both winning subsequently and he has to be high on any shortlist.
Star Rating ****
15. Amirite
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Appears to be a very quick learner and won him first start over hurdles this season. Henry De Bromhead then switched him to the bigger fences and again he won albeit by a nose this time. He was quickly moved into Graded class and whilst he has been placed twice, he has failed to regain the winning habit. This marks his debut run in handicap company where he should find life a little easier if he can overcome his inexperience of larger fields. He has every right to reverse recent form with Thedevilscoachman now that he meets him on seven-pounds better terms. He looks tailor made for a race such as this and a big run looks likely.
Star Rating ****
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16. Angels Dawn
Trainer: Sam Curling
Jockey: Phillip Enright
A thoroughly talented mare who enjoyed a dream run when getting the better of Strumptown at Cheltenham just a few weeks ago in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase. Whilst this is another step up in grade, she clearly thrives on her racing. The further she goes the better she looks and at the age of eight, she may not be done improving. She acts well with underfoot conditions and she looks likely to play a leading role here provided that the race hasn’t come too quick.
Star Rating ****
17. Fairyhill Run
Trainer: John Ryan
Jockey: Mike O’Connor (5)
Now has serious questions to answer having pulled up in a race won by Longhouse Poet at Down Royal last month. Seems to have lost his way somewhat and remains a full stone higher in the ratings than when he recorded his last victory. Prior to that last effort he also unseated his rider in a Grade 3 chase here. Hard to see a way back for him off this kind of mark.
Star Rating *
18. Punitive
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Corey McGivern (7)
Cannot be seriously backed as he is having his third run inside a month and was beaten 36 lengths just last week in a lesser race at Downpatrick. The only thing in his favour is a return to this track where he actually managed to win a handicap chase back in December. He just hasn’t looked the same horse since and others look to be in much better form.
Star Rating **
19. Real Steel
Trainer: Emmett McNamara
Jockey: Conor McNamara
Was a real money spinner for Willie Mullins in his youth and won five races for the master of Closutton accumulating in a rating of 160. Those days have long since gone and the now ten-year-old veteran rolled back the years to score another long awaited success at Leopardstown back in December where he beat Diol Ker by a short head over three-miles. Whilst he is well treated on the best of that old form, he has certainly never shown any appetite to be tried over this extreme distance. Hopefully he has more wins in him but that looks unlikely here today.
Star Rating **
20. Defi Bleu
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Gavin Brouder (5)
Hasn’t won a race since running at this meeting last year where he took a handicap chase over an extended three-miles. Has form to find with a couple of these including Angels Dawn and Real Steel. On the plus side he is back down to the same mark that he was placed off in a Grand National trial at Punchestown back in February. Will love the testing conditions and with Gavin Brouder claiming five pounds from his back, he could easily sneak a place.
Star Rating ***
21. Birchdale
Trainer: Enda Bolger
Jockey: Aidan Kelly (7)
One win in sixteen previous chases hardly inspires confidence despite him running the best race in almost a year back in February at Leopardstown. There he made the most of a tumbling mark to finish eight lengths behind The Goffer. He was then pulled up on his next start over the same course and distance meaning there are all sorts of questions hanging over his head now. If he puts it all together he would have the ability to sneak a place, but not a serious betting proposition on what we have seen in his recent runs.
Star Rating ***
22. Champagne Platinum
Trainer: Enda Bolder
Jockey: Simon Torrens
Hinted at a return to form with a solid fourth place behind Coko Beach in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown back in February. He gets in off the same mark here and it is worth remembering that he finished eighth in this very race last year off a three-pound higher mark. One win and one place from fourteen career starts over fences hardly screams winner material, but he could run well for a long way at a decent price.
Star Rating ***
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23. Farceur Du Large
Trainer: Noel Meade
Jockey: Gary Noonan (5)
Still looks a little too high in the ratings in order for him to be seriously considered. His last three runs have left much to be desired and he has to reverse form with many of these rivals including Espanito Bello, The Goffer and Real Steel. Whilst he has won and been second on his only two previous runs at this track, he would need to produce a career best performance in order to trouble the judge. Others look to have far better chances.
Star Rating *
24. Now Where Or When
Trainer: Stuart Crawford
Jockey: Paul Carberry
A likeable character who has only been lightly raced this year. He won on his seasonal reappearance at Down Royal where he saw off the attentions of The Greek in convincing style over two-and-a-quarter miles. A three-month break followed before he was seen again in a handicap won by The Goffer at Leopardstown in February. Upped in trip and grade he then found significant improvement to get within a couple of lengths of Kemboy at this track. Not impossible for him to find further improvement and any underfoot conditions will aid his cause. He has a lovely weight and no surprise if he were to take this prize back to Northern Ireland.
Star Rating ****
25. Donkey Years
Trainer: Emmett McNamara
Jockey: Mark McDonagh (5)
Ever since winning on debut at Cork back in 2019, Donkey Years seems to have taken an aversion to running well in large fields. On his two most recent starts he has pulled up and unseated his rider. That hardly bodes well for a race of this nature although perhaps a return to this track will help. He was second in a handicap chase to Defi Bleu here last season at this meeting. Other than that he makes limited appeal.
Star Rating *
26. Gevrey
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Kevin Sexton
Gevrey has made the frame in seven of his seventeen starts over fences. He does find winning hard to come by, but he generally runs a solid race. He did so once again last time out when finishing fourth to Seddon in the Magners Plate at Cheltenham and was doing all of his best work in the closing stages. A further hike in trip looks to only aid his cause and he is another that could get himself in the frame.
Star Rating ***
27. Milan Native
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Charlie O’Dwyer (7)
Has not won any race in two-and-a-half years and has shown no signs of a return to form despite a near career-low mark. The seven pounds that Charlie O’Dwyer can offset looks little to no advantage given the reluctance of his partner. Has blinkers on for the first time today but would probably find roller skates more effective. No the most co-operative of horses and he is readily dismissed.
Star Rating *
28. Must Be Obeyed
Trainer: Thomas Gibney
Jockey: Darragh O’Keefe
The way she ran at Navan last time suggested she wanted to step back in trip rather than be given an extra half mile to contest. She tried to make all in the race over three miles and gave way in the closing stages to the likes of Better Times Ahead. That form in itself should not be good enough to win this and despite sneaking in at the foot of the weights here, she will likely struggle. Very much an uphill task.
Star Rating **
29. Stumptown
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: Luke Dempsey
Was genuinely unlucky not to win the Kim Muir at Cheltenham when beaten by Angels Dawn who re-opposes today. He looked to have given his all that day and his four pounds extra that he was carrying certainly made all the difference. He is certainly weighted to reverse the form with his Cheltenham conqueror and if he puts in a similar effort here, he will take some stopping. He has to be high on any shortlist if handling the extra distance.
Star Rating *****
30. Fakiera
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Conor Clarke (7)
Has yet to win any race over fences and this doesn’t look the race where he would look to have a solid chance of opening that account. Despite his featherweight, he clearly has limited scope and finds life tough in this sphere. He has been pulled up on his last two starts and no surprise if he fails to finish once again in this marathon contest.
Star Rating *
Irish Grand National Tips
Many of these runners look to be in with major chances given luck in running. The rain is scheduled to fall so it may well pay to side with those towards the bottom of the weights as a consequence. STRUMPTOWN ran a cracking race at Cheltenham and provided that hasn’t taken too much out of him, he looks to be well weighted to reverse form with Angels Dawn. Willie Mullins has won this in recent years and big chances have to be given to the likes of I Am Maximus provided his weight doesn’t work against him. Now, Where Or When will love the conditions and is usually a reliable jumper of his fences. It would give Stuart Crawford possibly the biggest win of his career and he has been having a great season compared to recent years.
Predicted Finishing Order:
- STRUMPTOWN
- NOW WHERE OR WHEN
- I AM MAXIMUS
- TENZING
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