Top News

• When is it? The 2026 BoyleSports Irish Grand National takes place on Easter Monday (April 6). The race is set to begin at 5pm BST at the Fairyhouse Racecourse in County Meath.
• Who is the favourite? Champion jockey Paul Townend has notably opted to ride Kiss Will over the higher-rated Argento Boy. This decision has caused the horse to shorten significantly in the betting market, marking him as the one to beat.
• The best Brit: Ben Pauling's The Jukebox Kid leads the overseas raid. Following a dominant season in novice company, he aims to secure back-to-back wins for British trainers after Rebecca Curtis's success in the previous year's race.
• Weight allowances: Gordon Elliott is utilising high-claim conditional jockeys for his top weights, Better Days Ahead and Search For Glory. These weight offsets are designed to help the classier horses handle the demanding 3m 5f trip.
• JP McManus' horses: The legendary owner has a massive presence with six guaranteed runners. Stable jockey Mark Walsh has selected Showurappreciation, while Harry Cobden takes a rare and intriguing ride for the silks on Goraibhmaithagat.
• Novice advantage: Several unexposed novices, including Emmet Mullins' Soldier In Milan, enter the race with "hidden" form. These younger horses often thrive in this marathon contest, carrying lower weights than the established staying stars at the top.
• The Reserve Situation: Three reserves - The Lovely Man, Folly Master, and Uhavemeinstitches - wait in the wings. They require a withdrawal before 10am on race day to get a run, potentially shifting the market late on.
• Irish Grand National tips: Three horses to back including 40/1 outsider

No. / Horse / Jockey

1, Better Days Ahead, Rob James (7)

2, Search For Glory, James Smith (5)

3, Argento Boy, Sean O'Keeffe

4, Joystick, Brian Hayes

5, The Jukebox Kid, Ben Jones

6, Rushmount, Alan O'Sullivan

7, Yeah Man, Keith Donoghue

8, C'est Ta Chance, Danny Mullins

9, Flicker Of Hope, Michael Kenneally

10, Soldier In Milan, Donagh Meyler

11, Monbeg Genius, Jonjo O'Neill Jr

12, Shecouldbeanything, Jack Kennedy

13, Kiss Will, Paul Townend

14, Velvet Elvis, Alex Harvey

15, One Big Bang, Sean Bowen

16, Goraibhmaithagat, Harry Cobden

17, Karia Des Blaises, Anna McGuinness

18, Better Times Ahead, Simon Torrens

19, Hartur D'Arc, Sean Flanagan

20, Kurasso Blue, Jordan Gainford

21, The Enabler, Danny Gilligan

22, Duffle Coat, Josh Williamson

23, O'Toole, James Bowen

24, Sa Majeste, Aidan Kelly

25, Showurappreciation, Mark Walsh

26, Western Walk, Daniel King

27, Weveallbeencaught, Patrick O'Brien

28, Born Braver, Eoghan Finegan

29, Shanbally Kid, John Shinnick

30, Waterford Whispers, Darragh O'Keeffe