*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The Irish Grand National is here with the big race set for the off at 17:00 on Monday at Fairyhouse. 33 runners go to post, including last year’s winner Lord Lariat, who is bidding to be the first entry to deliver back-to-back wins since Brown Lad repeated in 1976. A win for him would also make it three-wins in a row for trainer Dermot McLoughlin, who also won in 2021 with 150/1 shot Freewheelin Dylan.
There are plenty of others with legitimate claims, with former Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Royale Pagaille top-rated in the field for Venetia Williams, while Willie Mullins saddles Dolcita , I Am Maximus and Tenzing, while Gordon Elliott puts forward no fewer than eight contenders, The Goffer, Defi Bleu and Chemical Energy among them.
With a field so big it’s enough to bamboozle even a seasoned racegoer – that’s why Paddy’s pulled together the collective nous of his top pundits – Ruby Walsh, Matt Chapman, Mick Fitzgerald, Mick Fitzgerald, Rory Delargy and Timeform – to give you the benefit of their wisdom.
So ignore the cowboy tipsters, shirk that bloke from the pub and maybe don’t go for the one with the nicest silks this time, here are some proper picks. Brace yourself, here’s Paddy’s cheat sheet for the Irish Grand National! Oh, and if you like one of their bets, just click on the selection and it’s straight into your betslip. Easy!
Ruby Walsh
Matt Chapman
Mick Fitzgerald
Rory Delargy
Timeform
Ruby Walsh
Royale Pagaille being declared changes things slightly. Panda Boy jumps out to me and he has a massive chance. I know he fell last time out but he was third in the Paddy Power and he will go well. Amirite is also a big player and Angels Dawn will also have a shout.
I Am Maximus is also a player with Royale Pagaille turning up. Paul Townend is on board for Willie Mullins. He finished fourth in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham and he’s got stamina.
Matt Chapman
There big betting race of the day in the Irish Grand National over 3m5f. Stumptown has improved fast in recent times and is the each way selection for Luke Dempsey and Gavin Cromwell. Just three runs ago my hope was a winner at Thurles off 112, now he’s here off 134. That’s 1lb lower than at Cheltenham when he chased home Angels Dawn in the Kim Muir. The youngster might have more to offer and is just in cracking form.
Mick Fitzgerald
Gavin Cromwell’s Stumptown was so unlucky at Cheltenham when getting beaten by Angels Dawn in the Kim Muir. The 8lb turnaround in the weights will definitely help and the locally trained Stumptown can win for Luke Dempsey.
Thedevilscoachman is a novice and historically they have a good record. Noel Meade would love to win this contest and in Thedevilscoachman, he has the perfect contender and he’s a worthy favourite.
Panda Boy looks to be a better horse on a sound surface so the forecast rain is far from ideal for Martin Brassil’s contender.
Rory Delargy
The inclusion of Royale Pagaille changes how this race could pan out. Now Where Or When looks really interesting for this for Peter Carberry and Stuart Crawford. He has solid form and he’s doing good work late on. He has form at Fairyhouse before and he should be handy.
Stumptown also has a great chance for Gavin Cromwell. He was denied his hat-trick at Cheltenham when second of 23 to Angels Dawn in the Kim Muir and he could go one better.
Timeform
Amirite again ran well when finishing third in a Grade 3 novice at Naas in January, passing the post only six and a half lengths behind the winner and looking unlucky not to finish closer still having been bumped sideways before the last (made his only mistake there). Still totally unexposed after just four starts over fences, he is likely to have more to offer as his stamina is drawn out further and a mark of 138 could underestimate him on handicap debut.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
GET THE BEST HORSE RACING TIPS HERE AT PP NEWS
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Grand National Tips: Paul Jacobs’ 4 antepost value plays for the 2023 race
- Noble Yeats heads 85 Grand National entries for Aintree 2023
- The full list of Grand National weights for Aintree 2023
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
