An Easter Monday special as the whole of Ireland heads to Fairyhouse for the final Grand National of the jumps season, the Irish Grand National. Many heroes have been made from this race and have even won Gold Cups and Aintree Nationals. Who will add their name to the illustrious list.
Baggins?
2:40 – O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle (Grade Two) – Its Bilbo @ 9/4 (William Hill)
Surprisingly, Willie Mullins has not succeeded in this race since 2019 when French made landed the spoils. It always seems to be his eighth or ninth string of juveniles so it’s not worth trusting Blue Lemons. Instead Its Bilbo looks more solid. Broke his maiden on soft ground at Punchestown before finishing fifth in a Grade Two. Then beaten a head last time out, this could be his chance to shine.
Finally, It’s Mee
3:50 – Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle (Grade Two) – Kopeck De Mee @ 5/2 (William Hill)
Kopeck De Mee has been a funny character since arriving from France. Completely bombed in the Martin Pipe but then somehow rebounded no end to finish a neck second in a handicap hurdle at Aintree. Maybe out of a handicap, Kopeck De Mee can fulfil his full potential after scoring at Listed level in France.
If the ground let’s down Kopeck De Mee, Lantry Lady is a useful each-way alternative. Won last years Red Mills Trial Hurdle by 9.5L on deep going before finishing fifth in the Mares Hurdle. Was meant to go chasing this year, but that came to a screeching halt when she finished 25L behind Fun Fun Fun. Back over hurdles at an optimum distance she can’t be overlooked. 8/1 (William Hill).
All Heart
4:20 – Fairyhouse Chase (Grade Two) – Heart Wood @ 5/6 (General)
Dropped in grade, no obvious threats from the Willie Mullins yard and finishing second in two Grade One’s this year points to all things Heart Wood in the Fairyhouse Chase. Ground shouldn’t be a problem after beating Corbetts Cross at Wexford on soft ground back in October. He also has a big weight allowance and is one of the highly rated horses in the race. Henry de Bromhead could have a big day in the spotlight if all goes his way.
Welsh Rare-bit
5:00 – Boylesports Irish Grand National (Grade Three) – Haiti Couleurs @ 7/1 (William Hill)
Winning this race for Haiti Couleurs will undoubtedly be one of the stories of the season in terms of how quick and how big a horse can progress. Racing in a class three hurdles and chases all season before hacking up by 4.5L in the National Hunt Chase. Captain Cody and Klarc Kent from that race completed the one-two at Ayr last week in the Scottish Grand National, the form all points in the direction of the Welsh-trained wonder.
The Irish won’t want the prize heading over the Irish Sea and Daily Present for Paul Nolan will lead the charge of those at an each-way price. Another who won at Cheltenham, narrowly by a neck in the Kim Muir. Interestingly he pulled up in last year’s Irish Grand National off a mark 10lbs lower than today. However, the ground may be more suitable and has made considerable progression this season. 16/1 (William Hill).
Willie Mullins is never out of the conversation, no matter the race. Sa Majeste may have been one of the more fancied handicap runners at the Festival, and placed a far way behind Daily Present in third in the Kim Muir. However, previous to that picked up a significant three-mile Rated chase win at Fairyhouse. That doesn’t put Sa Majeste totally out of the picture. 16/1 (William Hill).
