Irish Grand National runner by runner betting guide

Willie Mullins saddles four runners here, two of whom have standout chances.

Get the best odds for the Irish Grand National from the best horse racing betting sites.

16 Haiti Couleurs*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 0lb**
Form: -21131
Rating: 141
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
Odds: 6/1

This Welsh raider has taken his form to a new level since going chasing, winning three of his four starts, culminating in a win in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. We know there will be no issue with the trip, and given the ease with which he won at Cheltenham, a 7 lb higher mark doesn’t look enough to stop him from going close here. He has a very appealing profile and could come in for plenty of support before the off.

Star rating:

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17 Now Is The Hour*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 0lb**
Form: 2-654F
Rating: 141
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Odds: 8/1

Gavin Cromwell has had a terrific season, and adding the Irish Grand National to his Cheltenham Gold Cup win would be a thing of dreams. But I suspect he may have to wait another year to win it. Now Is The Hour was still there with a chance two out in the National Hunt Chase, only to take a heavy fall at the second last fence.

We will never know how much was left in reserve, but I would be more worried about how he comes out of that race after such a heavy fall. If he is over it, he has a clear chance, but he may be a horse you might want to back in running to see how his jumping is after such a bad fall.

Star rating:

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3 High Class Hero*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 7lb**
Form: P2-212
Rating: 148
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Odds: 10/1

High Class Hero is not one of the stars of the Willie Mullins stable, and he is one that I am surprised is so short in the betting, given his form. He was turned over at odds of 8/15 last time out by Common Practice (down to run in the WillowWarm Gold Cup on Sunday) last time out, and his win over Loughglynn and defeat behind Shannon Royal doesn’t scream Irish Grand National winner.

Now, there is every chance that he can leave that form well behind him on his handicap debut, but is that a chance you want to take over a trip that is not guaranteed to suit him?

Star rating:

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5 Johnnywho*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 5lb**
Form: -13332
Rating: 146
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Jonjo & A J O’Neill
Odds: 10/1

Johnnywho has been a horse that has promised to do much better than we have seen so far, and he has become a very frustrating horse to follow. It looked like it would be a matter of how far Johnnywho was going to win the Kim Muir as he cursed to the last but made a slight mistake with giving Daily Present every chance to go past him, and go past he did.

But I didn’t like how Johnnywho never looked as if he could reel him back in, which is worrying considering how easy he was going to the last. It may be that he does all his best work on the bridle, and that is not the kind of horse you want on your side for an Irish Grand National.

Star rating:

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1 Better Days Ahead*

Age: 7
Weight: 10st 13lb**
Form: 3-1213
Rating: 154
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 12/1

After Better Days Ahead won on chase debut, a lot was expected from the former Martin Pipe Hurdle winner going forward this season. But in runs that seemed disappointing at the time, have more of a better look to them as time goes by.

His latest run saw him run a huge race in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, where he was eventually beaten just over 4 lengths. He has the right profile for a race like this, and the trip should be right up his street, but the only worry is that he has to lug around top weight. Besides that, Better Days Ahead has a massive chance here.

Star rating:

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24 Daily Present*

Age: 8
Weight: 9st 10lb**
Form: 5P-331
Rating: 137
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Paul Nolan
Odds: 12/1

Daily Present left all of his previous when getting the better of Johnnywho in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival. He faces that rival once again here, but there is a big swing in the weights in favour of the Jonjo O’Neill-trained gelding. So, confirming that form may prove difficult. He has an each-way chance, but he will need another big step forward to win this.

Star rating:

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37 Canal End*

Age: 7
Weight: 9st 2lb**
Form: 575821
Rating: 129
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Peter Fahey
Odds: 14/1

It has been a case of steady as we go with Canel End this season, and given who owns Canal Ends, they may have had an eye on this race a long way out. His form from 2m to 2m4f would give him little to no chance of winning here, but he stepped up to just shy of 3m, where he looked like he needed every yard and more.

He was outpaced three out, but once Mark Walsh asked him for the maximum effort, he changed gears and closed rapidly on the leaders to eventually winning going away by over 4 lengths. He has gone up 9 lb since, but he gets in here off a featherweight, so Canal End may be a dark horse hiding in plain sight.

Star rating:

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28 Kinturk Kalanisi*

Age: 7
Weight: 9st 8lb**
Form: 3-322U
Rating: 135
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Thomas Gibney
Odds: 16/1

It looked for all the world that Kinturk Kalanisi was going to record his first win over fences at Naas, but a soft unseating of rider Anna McGuinness at the second last ended their chances of getting off the mark.

He brings some solid form into the race and does look to be on a workable mark, and if he can keep his partnership intact here, there is no reason why he can be bang there now stepping up to a trip that looks right up his street.

Star rating:

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13 Malina Girl*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 1lb**
Form: 54-323
Rating: 142
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Odds: 20/1

Even though Malina Girl ran a massive race to take 3rd in the Ultima Handicap Chase, she looks pretty exposed over fences and would need to improve further to get seriously involved. But given that she has 23 runs over fences to her name, it’s highly unlikely that she has the required improvement in her.

Star rating:

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4 Quai De Bourbon*

Age: 6
Weight: 10st 7lb**
Form: 1-31UB
Rating: 148
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Odds: 20/1

I’m sure that we haven’t seen anywhere near the best of Quai De Bourbon over fences yet. Even though he was last of the 6 when he was brought down at the 14th fences at Aintree, Patrick Mullins had a double handful and looked to have loads left to give, but it is impossible to say where he would have finished.

He has the profile of a horse who should have a lot more to give and given that he failed to complete his two runs when tackling Grade 1 company, a mark of 148 could be more than manageable. He’s a big player at big odds.

Star rating:

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20 Any Second Now*

Age: 13
Weight: 9st 12lb**
Form: 672-45
Rating: 139
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Ted Walsh
Odds: 25/1

Any Second Now rolled back years to finish 2nd in last season’s renewal of the Irish Grand National, and Ted Walsh has laid him out for a crack of going one place better this season. He is only 1 lb lower than he was last season, and even if he was to run to his best, it’s had to see a 13-year-old having enough left in the tank to take such a competitive renewal of the Irish Grand National. A place finish is the best that connections can hope for.

Star rating:

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6 Bioluminescence*

Age: 7
Weight: 10st 4lb**
Form: 1P-122
Rating: 145
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Odds: 25/1

This talented mare has taken well to chasing, winning one of her three starts over fences and finishing 2nd in her other two, once to Dancing City and her latest when disappointing behind Spindleberry. She will look to become the first mare since Lord Lariat to win the Irish Grand National, and if the predicted rain gets into the ground, that will only enhance her chances of doing just that. She needs to find a bit more, but she should improve over an extreme trip.

Star rating:

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29 Bushmans Pass*

Age: 9
Weight: 9st 6lb**
Form: 31-5P1
Rating: 133
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Oliver McKiernan
Odds: 25/1

Bushmans Pass got back to winning ways in the Listed Leinster National last time out. Still, he was found wanting in better company prior to that this season, as seen when finishing 25 lengths off the now Aintree Grand National winner Nick Rockett in the Thyestes Chase.

Then he was pulled up in the Grand National trial when sent off the 13/2 favourite at Punchestown, but if he can back up his latest win, he can run well for a long time. But when all is said and done, he should find a few that are too good for him here.

Star rating:

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9 Favori De Champdou*

Age: 10
Weight: 10st 2lb**
Form: 1-8331
Rating: 143
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 25/1

Despite his ageing legs, Favori De Champdou has defied his age by running some good races in defeat this season, notable when placing in both the Thyestes Chase and the Grand National trail at Punchestown.

Since his 3rd place finish at Punchestown, he has returned to winning ways when comfortably taking a three-runner chase at Down Royal last month. This race will again demand more from him, but given his proven stamina, he is not one to rule out for a place finish here.

Star rating:

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25 Mint Boy*

Age: 7
Weight: 9st 10lb**
Form: -3703U
Rating: 137
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Odds: 25/1

He is not one of Gavin Cromwell’s strongest runners and needs to improve significantly to get involved here. Time is on his side, but this looks a step too far.

Star rating:

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14 Panda Boy*

Age: 9
Weight: 10st 1lb**
Form: 40-703
Rating: 142
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Martin Brassil
Odds: 25/1

For the last few seasons, Pandy Boy has had his name on the top of many people’s lists to take a big handicap chase, but time after time, he has failed to deliver, and it’s hard to see him finally breaking the mould here.

Star rating:

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19 Sa Majeste*

Age: 7
Weight: 9st 13lb**
Form: -21513
Rating: 140
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Odds: 25/1

Sa Majeste is a horse that has promised to deliver a big one over hurdles, and now over fences, and to his credit, he has run well in all of his starts so far over fences. But, he did not seem to stay the 3m2f trip in the Kim Muir, but the return to a flatter track could help his cause here. He should run a solid race but will likely be found wanting in the closing stages.

Star rating:

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35 Will Do*

Age: 8
Weight: 9st 4lb**
Form: 325623
Rating: 131
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 25/1

He’s been on the go since this season, and even though he has yet to get off the mark on seven attempts over fences, Will Do has rarely run a bad race this season and kept on well to take 3rd behind Haiti Couleurs in the National Hunt Chase. Whether he runs or not, here is the thing, but if he does and is over his Cheltenham excursions, Will Do can run an admirable race again.

Star rating:

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8 Duffle Coat*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 3lb**
Form: 52P4BU
Rating: 144
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 33/1

Duffle Coat hasn’t been seen at his best since finishing runner-up in last season’s Galway Plate. But he was still there with a realistic chance in the National Hunt Chase, coming to the second last only to be brought down by a faller. He was then fancied to run well in the Aintree Grand National but could only get as far as the third fence. This race is by no means an easier task, but if he could get around untroubled, he has a big run in him.

Star rating:

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26 Dunboyne*

Age: 10
Weight: 9st 8lb**
Form: PP-P11
Rating: 135
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Ian Patrick Donoghue
Odds: 33/1

From a horse that looked like the last thing he wanted to do was race, Dunboyne has regained his love for the game since switching to the Ian Patrick Donoghue. He won on stable debut over hurdles and followed that up with a tough win over Final Orders in the Ulster National at the end of last month. Connection would be foolish not to run him here in his current form, and he’s not out of it.

Star rating:

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32 Hasthing*

Age: 8
Weight: 9st 5lb**
Form: 4114FB
Rating: 132
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Jonjo & A J O’Neill
Odds: 33/1

Having been brought down early in the Scottish Grand National just over a week ago, connections will be hoping for better luck here with Hasthing, but the last two experiences may have dented his confidence.

Before being brought down in the Scottish National, he took what looked like a tired fall at the last fence in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. But if you were to forgive him his last two mishaps, he had a progressive form that would give him a solid chance at finishing in the places.

Star rating:

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33 Noble Birth*

Age: 8
Weight: 9st 5lb**
Form: -27331
Rating: 132
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Odds: 33/1

Noble Birth got off the mark at the third time of asking for Gavin Cromwell. We know Gavin Cromwell has a knack for getting big improvements from recruits from other yards. If he were to get Noble Birth to win an Irish Grand National, this would be one of Cromwell’s biggest achievements. But realistically, he has little to no chance of winning this.

Star rating:

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10 Search For Glory*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 2lb**
Form: -12307
Rating: 143
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 33/1

Having started life over fences well with an easy win over Sa Majeste, a 2nd to Stellar Story, and then a close 3rd to now Grade 1 winning chaser Impaire Et Passe, Search For Glory has put in back-to-back poor runs at the Dublin Racing Festival, and then at the Cheltenham Festival. If he could rediscover his form from the start of the season, he would have an outside chance of a place, but he is hard to trust on current form.

Star rating:

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11 Sequestered*

Age: 7
Weight: 10st 2lb**
Form: 844120
Rating: 143
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Paul John Gilligan
Odds: 33/1

Sequestered didn’t go unbacked for the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but failed to fire on the day. Before that, he was seen to good effect when 3rd to the well-handicapped Backtonormal at the Dublin Racing Festival, but this mark may have anchored him for a while now. It is unlikely that he will get seriously involved here.

Star rating:

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34 Val Dancer*

Age: 8
Weight: 9st 4lb**
Form: 33-113
Rating: 131
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Mel Rowley
Odds: 33/1

The Welsh Grand National hero will look to bag a historic Grand National double here, and if Val Dancer could get into a rhythm out in front, he could go well for a long way. He is only 6 lb higher for his Welsh National win, so a big run can be expected.

Star rating:

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15 Yeah Man*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 1lb**
Form: 9-34U9
Rating: 142
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Odds: 33/1

Since taking the Grand National Trial at Haydock last season, Yeah Man has failed to kick on since. He is still 9 lb higher since that win, and it looks unlikely that he will return to winning ways until he gets some help from the handicapper.

Star rating:

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31 Another Choice*

Age: 8
Weight: 9st 5lb**
Form: 744292
Rating: 132
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Matthew Smith
Odds: 50/1

Another Choice is not a bad operator on his day and has finished ahead of Daily Present over half a furlong more than he faces here, and ever since that run on December 1st, he has been put away with the hope of having a crack at this. If Another Choice is primed to go, he could go well for a long way at a track we know he likes. He’s a lively outsider for the places.

Star rating:

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27 Final Orders*

Age: 9
Weight: 9st 8lb**
Form: 700632
Rating: 132
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Odds: 50/1

Having spent the best part of two years in the doldrums, Final Orders finally started showing some of his old form with a 3rd to Monbeg Park, and then bettered that run when filling the runner up spot in the Ulster National. He is now back to a mark of 140, but he has won off it before, but it is hard to see him doing the same here.

Star rating:

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39 Fortunedefortunata*

Age: 8
Weight: 9st 1lb**
Form: 502015
Rating: 128
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 50/1

Fortunedefortunata got the better of Will Do and Favori De Champdou in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown, but he was found wanting in the Midlands National last month off 130. He has been dropped 2 lb for his troubles, and if he could get back to his Punchestown form, he can outrun his odds.

Star rating:

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21 Lord Lariat*

Age: 10
Weight: 9st 11lb**
Form: 467/4P
Rating: 138
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Dermot A McLoughlin
Odds: 50/1

Lord Lariat won a strong renewal of this back in 2022 off just 1 lb higher, but he has struggled to find that form since. He hasn’t gone close to adding to that win since, but it wouldn’t be a shock for him to run well back to the scene of his biggest career success.

Star rating:

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2 Monbeg Park*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 8lb**
Form: 222314
Rating: 149
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Sean Thomas Doyle
Odds: 50/1

For the amount of talent that Monbeg Park has, he does have his quirks that hinder him. He has some very good form with the likes of Jordans, Gorgeous Tom, and Backtonormal, but he will struggle here in such a competitive field off this mark against some better treated rivals.

Star rating:

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18 Shecouldbeanything*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 0lb**
Form: 111533
Rating: 141
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 50/1

An admiral mare who looks to be out of her depth here off her current mark.

Star rating:

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12 Desertmore House*

Age: 10
Weight: 10st 1lb**
Form: -P4300
Rating: 142
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Martin Brassil
Odds: 66/1

From what we have seen from Desertmore House this season, he has little to no chance of placing, let alone trying to win.

Star rating:

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7 Harry Des Ongrais*

Age: 8
Weight: 10st 4lb**
Form: 57/512
Rating: 145
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Odds: 66/1

One win from three runs over fences, but like most of Henry De Bromhead’s runners, he has improved for the switch to chasing. He popped around this course on chase debut behind Mistergif and duly kicked on from that experience to win what was a decent beginners chase at Gowran Park, and since finished 2nd in a Grade 3 but he was no match for Fun Fun Fun in the end. He hasn’t been given a gift of a mark for his handicap debut, but he looks to be overlooked in the betting and could run a big race on his handicap debut.

Star rating:

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38 Cleatus Poolaw*

Age: 7
Weight: 9st 2lb**
Form: -F476P
Rating: 129
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 100/1

Well beaten in all six chase starts this season. He looks well out of his depth here.

Star rating:

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40 History Of Fashion*

Age: 11
Weight: 9st 2lb**
Form: -F476P
Rating: 129
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 100/1

Having beaten Another Choice and Daily Present over course and distance in December, History Of Fashion has since put a question mark over trusting him as he ran out two out in the Eider Chase at Newcastle in February. If getting a run, he needs to be back to the form that saw him win over course and distance in December, but that may not even be enough off a 6 lb higher mark. But, you do have to respect course and distance form.

Star rating:

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36 Macs Charm*

Age: 10
Weight: 9st 3lb**
Form: 5-0987
Rating: 130
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Colm Murphy
Odds: 100/1

Macs Charm has been woefully out of form this season, and it is hard to see him rediscover his form from here if he gets a run.

Star rating:

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30 Moonovercloon*

Age: 8
Weight: 9st 6lb**
Form: 3F27U5
Rating: 133
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Matthew Smith
Odds: 100/1

No win in six chase starts for Moonovercloon, but he has filled the runner-up spot three times. More notably, he hasn’t been seen over fences since unseating his rider in September 2024, and it will take a performance like we have never seen from him to get off the mark on his return to action.

Star rating:

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22 Stuzzikini*

Age: 7
Weight: 9st 11lb**
Form: 15310P
Rating: 138
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 100/1

Stuzzikini ran as well as could have been expected before being pulled up in the National Hunt Chase, and a clear round is the best the connections can hope for here.

Star rating:

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23 Tullybeg*

Age: 10
Weight: 9st 11lb**
Form: -53039
Rating: 138
Jockey: TBC
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Odds: 100/1

Tullybeg has not won since September 2023, and it looks like that will continue after his 240-day break.

Star rating:

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Irish Grand National verdict

This year’s renewal has the makings of a classic, and usually, I like to take one at a double-figure price in a race like this, but this time around, HAITI COULEURS ticks a lot of boxes for me. He was an easy winner of the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival making it three wins from four starts over fences. He comes here off a 7 lb rise higher mark, but that may not be enough to stop this progressive staying chaser from recording a famous win on Irish soil.

Canal End, Better Days Ahead, Quai De Bourbon, Harry Des Ongrais, and the rejuvenated Dunboyne are ones with a strong each-way chance.

*Running order subject to change on the day of declarations

**Weights are subject to change on the day of declarations

About the author

Andrew Halligan

My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.

You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).

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