The Irish Grand National takes place on Easter Monday (Image: PA)
The BoyleSports Irish Grand National is the most lucrative event in the Irish jump racing calendar, boasting a prestigious roll of honour that includes Desert Orchid, Bobbyjo and several subsequent Aintree Grand National victors. However, selecting the winner isn’t always straightforward. In 2021 and 2022, Dermot McLoughlin trained 150/1 and 40/1 winners of the race, much to the bookmakers’ delight.
The last two winners have started at 13/2, making it challenging to determine the optimal betting strategy. With this in mind, Express Sport highlights two well-favoured horses for the race, as well as a dark horse that could potentially perform well at generous odds…
It would have been difficult to foresee Soldier In Milan, less than a year after claiming a bumper at Punchestown, lining up in the Irish Grand National.
This Emmet Mullins-trained horse was heavily backed to defeat none other than King Rasko Grey, winner of the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, in the aforementioned bumper, before connections boldly decided to transition directly to fences.
He has been developed gradually this season, and there’s a sense that this race was the target all along. The seven-year-old’s lack of experience is a concern, but he undoubtedly has the potential to be competitive.
Colm Murphy has been involved in racing for many years and has trained some exceptional horses, including the likes of Brave Inca and Big Zeb.
Following several subdued years, however, he possesses quality horses in his stable once more, with numerous runners competing this weekend.
Zanoosh appears to have exceptionally strong prospects in the Honeysuckle Mares’ Novice Hurdle, while Goraibhmaithagat could claim the principal prize.
Goraibhmaithagat demonstrated considerable talent over hurdles but wasn’t extensively tested, and has been progressed carefully over fences throughout.
Consistently appearing as though an increased distance would prove beneficial, backing flooded in for the JP McManus horse in the Leinster National previously, only for the gelding to be overhauled at the finishing post.
The impression remains, though, that this horse is progressing with each outing over fences and might still be comfortably below his rating.
Numerous shock victors have emerged in this contest in recent years, and Weveallbeencaught could prove the next.
Compared to several of the untested novices in this field, Weveallbeencaught has repeatedly demonstrated his capabilities to the handicapper, yet he appears an ideal candidate for this type of endurance test.
Previously under Nigel Twiston-Davies’s tutelage, this nine-year-old gelding has been revitalised by a transfer to Eric McNamara’s Limerick establishment this campaign.
Following a runner-up finish in the Munster National in October, he underwhelmed at Leopardstown over Christmas but displayed considerable determination when producing a creditable performance to finish seventh in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.
The Irish handicapper has provided him with an opportunity, and while many might falter under the pressures of this contest, Weveallbeencaught appears perfectly suited to the test.