The Irish Grand National is the richest chase in the Irish racing calendar – and the focal point of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. It’s been a couple of years since the last running because of that thing called coronavirus so it’s fair to say the hype is building. Paddy Power News brings you everything you need to know about the big race.
When is the 2021 Irish Grand National?
The 2021 renewal of the Irish Grand National takes place on Monday April 5 at Fairyhouse. It is the showpiece of the three-day Fairyhouse Easter Festival which begins on Saturday April 3 and will take place with no crowds in attendance. The race is scheduled to get underway at 5pm.
How far do horses have to run in the 2021 Irish Grand National?
The Irish Grand National runners and riders will have to cover a distance of 3m 5f and jump 24 fences at Fairyhouse. A maximum field of 30 is permitted and the race is open to horses aged five years and older.
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How much prize money is available in the 2021 Irish Grand National?
The Irish Grand National is the richest chase in the Irish calendar, with the winner set to earn €216,000 in prize money from a total pot worth €400,000. It’s estimated that around €1.25million is available over the course of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival.
Who are Paddy Power experts tipping for Irish Grand National glory in 2021?
Paddy Power: “Latest Exhibition’s carrying an awful lot of weight, so I’m actually going for one down the bottom – SEMPO for Joseph O’Brien and Martin O’Sullivan. He seems to have strangely been campaigned over 2m (I’m guessing to protect the handicap mark), he’s a maiden over fences, which might not be in the profile of a national winner, and has been quite highly tried while the trainer has had a funny old season – which is another negative! You would have been expecting him to challenge more in some of the big races.”
Frank Hickey: “AGUSTA GOLD is very interesting on her first start for Willie Mullins. She was trained by Mags Mullins and she beat Moyhenna in a mares’ chase at Fairyhouse in January. She got 7lbs for that but she was second in the Grand National trial at Punchestown last February off a mark of 134 so we do know she stays. Willie might be able to eek out a bit of improvement so she could hit the frame.
“I’m also going to fire one in at a massive price for Dermot McLoughlin – OPPOSITES ATTRACT. I was looking at the prices of past winners of the Irish National and they’re either favourite or second favourite, or absolutely wild prices.”
Timeform: “RUN WILD FRED remains a maiden over fences, but demonstrated that he is on a fair mark when chasing home stablemate Coko Beach in the valuable Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park in January.”
What’s the latest betting for the 2021 Irish Grand National?
Tiger Roll’s switch to the Aintree Bowl at the Grand National Festival has left Latest Exhibition at the top of the market. The Paul Nolan-trained eight-year-old placed second behind Monkfish on his last two starts and tops the weights at Fairyhouse with 11st 10lb.
Paddy Power traders have Agusta Gold as Willie Mullins’ most likely winner while Run Wild Fred for Denise Foster is also prominent.
The rest of the runners are available for double-digit prices after final declarations. Don’t forget, we’re offering six places instead of four on the Irish Grand National 2021.
Who was the most recent winner of the Irish Grand National?
The 2020 renewal was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic so we have to go back two years for the last running. Paddy Power ambassador Ruby Walsh won the Irish Grand National for the third time, weeks before hanging up his saddle, when he rode Burrows Saint to victory. Willie Mullins’ horse was the first six-year-old to win the race since Rhyme ‘n’ Reason in 1985. Connections will no doubt be hoping Burrows Saint can emulate Rhyme ‘n’ Reason by going on to win the Aintree Grand National.
Read More on the Irish Grand National 2021
- Ruby Walsh explains why the Irish Grand National suits novice chasers
- Ruby Walsh doubts Tiger Roll’s chances in the Irish Grand National
- Grab the Irish Grand National value with Espanito Bello
- Ruby Walsh’s antepost best bets for the Irish Grand National
Read More on the Aintree Grand National 2021
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- Grand National 2021 weights revealed for steeplechase spectacular
- Grand National key trends to note when picking a horse
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