*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing / Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Antepost rules.
Easter Monday at Fairyhouse sees the best Irish Grand National field in years go to post. There’s some real quality on show, from top class veterans to highly promising novices, it really is a vintage field.
Sempo
The plunge horse over the last few days has been Sempo, who may never have won over fences, but that hasn’t stopped punters from wading in, Joseph O’Brien’s charge has come in for sustained support with punters taking every price from 20/1.
“There is a lot of prize money on offer and he has been placed in a Graded race last time. If he can get into a rhythm he would have a big chance.” said O’Brien.
Tiger Roll
Even in such a field of fascinating runners, Tiger Roll stands out. A dual Aintree Grand National winner and a five times winner at the Cheltenham Festival, he needs no introduction.
Aintree’s loss could be Fairyhouse’s gain and connections have said they will make their decision about his participation at the final declaration stage on Friday morning. Whether he runs or not it will have a big impact on the weights the other runners will have to carry, so he holds the key.
Latest Exhibition
Latest Exhibition has been the long-time ante-post market leader. Trainer Paul Nolan enjoyed a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, but his stable star is also entered in the Grade One Novices’ Gold Cup on Easter Sunday at the same meeting.
Latest Exhibition brings some real class to the table and would be capable of carrying a big weight to victory if he has the stamina to see out this trip.
Longhouse Poet
One of the many unexposed novice chasers in the field, Longhouse Poet looked to be a chaser of real promise with a cosy success in a beginner’s chase on New Year’s Eve at Punchestown.
Trainer Martin Brassil won this race in 2005 with Numbersixvalverde, and he looks like he has another excellent stayer on his hands here. Would like to see a bit of rain in the run up to the race.
Espanito Bello
With the extra places on offer, it can sometimes pay to look further down the list, and one that has caught my eye is Espanito Bello. Barry Connell is a well-known owner, but he has turned his hand to training now and is starting to get some winners. Espanito Bello beat Coko Beach in a Beginners Chase over 2m 3f at Naas back in December.
He was stepped up markedly in trip next time out in that Grade Two at Navan won by Coko Beach, but he went down on his shield and that effort suggested that Monday’s marathon trip should be right up his street.
Coko Beach
Still only a six-year-old, Coko Beach looked like an ideal candidate for this race after a gutsy win in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase on heavy ground at Gowran Park in January. He followed that up with another gutsy performance when seeing off the challenge of Espanito Bello in a Grade Two novice chase at Navan.
Connections have declared this race would be his target after that victory and he is due to run on a nice weight if those above him in the handicap stay in. He’s a serious player.
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Run Wild Fred
Run Wild Fred has the same connections as Coko Beach and has a very similar profile. He was well backed on the day of the Thyestes Chase but was a gallant second behind Coko Beach. Previously he had followed Longhouse Poet home in that beginner’s chase at Punchestown.
I feel the money on the day of the Thyestes for this horse was significant and I expect another bold show here.
Home By The Lee
Another from the Joseph O’Brien stable, Home By The Lee has also attracted market support and is a progressive stayer who has won three of his five assignments this season, most recently at Naas in February.
O’Brien has said he is going to Fairyhouse and the market moves for him could be significant, has his stamina to prove however.
Conclusion: It’s a wide-open race and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Espanito Bello battling it out with the leaders at the finish.
*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing / Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Antepost rules.
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