Irish Grand National favourite Nick Rockett is set to face 20 rivals in today’s big race at Fairyhouse.
Willie Mullins, who saddled I Am Maximus to success in last year’s renewal, held the seven-year-old back from the Cheltenham Festival for the richest race on the Jumps schedule in Ireland but the novice chaser is burdened with 11st 10lbs.
While the 21-runner field represents a significant drop in numbers compared to recent year, a whole host of horses in the line-up boast live chances including the hat-trick seeking Intense Raffles for trainer Thomas Gibney and Gavin Cromwell’s Haydock Grand National Trial winner Yeah Man.
Gordon Elliott trains a third of the field and his leading chance appears to be Punchestown Grand National Trial scorer Where It All Began as stable jockey Jack Kennedy is onboard.
Novices have a good record in the Irish Grand National and Henry de Bromhead will be hoping Senior Chief, who broke his maiden status over fences last time out, can be the latest to land the big prize.
The latest Irish Grand National odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Irish Grand National verdict
Timeform: The novices usually come to the fore in Ireland’s premier handicap chase and NICK ROCKETT can give Willie Mullins another victory. A smart hurdler, he’s taken really well to chasing this term and has more improvement to come when stamina is at a premium, as it will be here. Senior Chief boasts a similar profile and is a big player. Good Time Jonny is yet to show all he’s capable of over fences, while Gavin Cromwell has a strong hand with Hartur d’Arc and Haydock-winner Yeah Man.
*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
Irish Grand National runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Irish Grand National 2024.
Minella Cocooner
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 8 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Smart winner at 22f over hurdles (second in the 2022 Albert Bartlett) and similar form over fences, although disappointed with his finishing effort when fancied for the Leinster National at Naas 22 days ago.
***
Churchstonewarrior
Trainer: Jonathan Sweeney Jockey: M. J. M. O’Sullivan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 11lbs
Smart chaser. Has failed to complete in 2 good 3m events this term but will appreciate return to good staying handicap like this after a break.
***
Nick Rockett
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 7 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Rapidly developed into a smart novice hurdler last spring (won Grade 2 at this meeting) and has taken well to fences on return, winning Fairyhouse maiden and second in 3m Navan Grade 3. More to come over this marathon trip and will relish conditions. Leading claims.
*****
Favori De Champdou
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: D. J. Gilligan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 9lbs
Winner of 3 of his 6 starts over hurdles and impressive when taking the Florida Pearl at Punchestown in November. Not so good twice since though and revival needed now handicapping over new trip.
**
Senior Chief
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 7 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Useful hurdler who got off the mark over fences in workmanlike fashion at Punchestown (22.8f, heavy) 43 days ago, taking a while to find top gear off what was a very steady gallop. Remains with both untapped potential and stamina (will stay further than 3m) and can go well.
****
Any Second Now
Trainer: T. M. Walsh Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 12 Weight: 11st 4lbs
One-time top-class chaser, placed in Grand National at Aintree in 2021 (unlucky) and 2022. Down the field in valuable handicap chases this season (well held over hurdles latest), though has dropped plenty in the weights as a result and been well backed for this in recent weeks.
***
Intense Raffles
Trainer: T. Gibney Jockey: J. J. Slevin Age: 6 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Made it 2-2 for new yard here in 4-runner novice chase (4/6, 25.4f, heavy) 37 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Could be smart and one to note now handicapping.
***
Yeah Man
Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: Keith Donoghue Age: 7 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Been in excellent form this season, in 1st-time cheekpieces when winning 10-runner Grand National Trial (Handicap) at Haydock (28.4f, heavy, 9/2) 44 days ago, value extra. Can go well again.
***
Diol Ker
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: K. E. Buckley Age: 10 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Useful hurdler/chaser. Thirteen runs since last win in 2022. Well-beaten tenth of 12 to Hartur D’arc in handicap chase at Naas (24.8f, heavy, 12/1) 22 days ago. Has work to do.
**
Dunboyne
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 9 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Unreliable type. Tongue strap on for 1st time, pulled up in handicap chase at Punchestown (27f, heavy, 33/1) 43 days ago won by Where It All Began, again folding tamely. Hard to fancy on that showing.
**
Hartur D’arc
Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: Sean Flanagan Age: 7 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Has done well for new yard, career best when winning 12-runner handicap chase (4/1) at Naas (24.8f, heavy) 22 days ago, bit in hand. Could have even more to offer and 1 of 2 strong contenders for yard.
***
Frontal Assault
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: C. P. Millar Age: 9 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Second in this in 2022 and better effort than for a while when 11¾ lengths fourth of 12 to Hartur d’Arc in handicap chase at Naas (24.8f, heavy) 22 days ago. 7 lb conditional up.
***
Where It All Began
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 8 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Showed much improved form to open his account as a chaser in 15-runner handicap at Punchestown (27f, heavy) in February. Fair fourth in the Kim Muir 18 days ago and remains unexposed in these sort of events. The pick of Kennedy from Elliott’s seven.
***
Cool Survivor
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Colin Gainford Age: 7 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Useful winner at 24f over hurdles. Went close in Limerick maiden chase on return but hasn’t kicked on since, let down by jumping in the Kim Muir 18 days ago.
**
Good Time Jonny
Trainer: A. J. Martin Jockey: Phillip Enright Age: 9 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Took the Pertemps Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. Yet to score in this sphere but he has caught the eye under a patient ride on his last two outings. Interesting up in trip.
***
Street Value
Trainer: J. P. Flavin Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 9 Weight: 10st 8lbs
C&D winner in December but has failed to complete the last twice, pulled up in handicap chase at Punchestown (27f, heavy) 43 days ago won by Where It All Began. Hard to fancy now.
**
Daily Present
Trainer: Paul Nolan Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe Age: 7 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Tongue tied and left previous chasing efforts well behind switched to a handicap when scoring at Down Royal (3m) in January. Well backed and shaped as if still in good form when fifth in the Kim Muir next time.
***
Royal Thief
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: K. C. Sexton Age: 10 Weight: 10st 3lbs
Fairly useful chaser at best, out of sorts this season. Fifth of 8 in handicap chase (11/2) at Limerick (22.6f, heavy) 22 days ago.
**
We’llhavewan
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Kieran Callaghan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 1lbs
Career best when winning 16-runner handicap hurdle at Navan (25.2f, heavy) in December. 5/4, good 16 lengths second of 15 to Where It All Began in handicap chase at Punchestown (27f, heavy) 43 days ago. Could have more to offer over fences.
***
Where’s Frankie
Trainer: Karl Thornton Jockey: Donagh Meyler Age: 8 Weight: 10st 1lbs
13/2, career best when winning 11-runner handicap chase at Leopardstown (28.3f, soft) 29 days ago, keeping on well. Stacks of course form but suspect he just lacks the class for a race like this.
***
History Of Fashion
Trainer: P. A. Fahy Jockey: Richard Condon Age: 10 Weight: 10st 0lbs
Eighteen runs since sole win under Rules in 2022. 21½ lengths eighth of 12 to Hartur d’Arc in handicap chase (33/1) at Naas (24.8f, heavy) 22 days ago, left poorly placed. Tricky to fancy.
**
Read More on the Irish Grand National 2024
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- When is the Irish Grand National 2024? Fairyhouse date, start time, runners and betting
- Irish Grand National weights: Full list of Fairyhouse 2024 handicap ratings
- Irish Grand National 2024 trends and stats for Fairyhouse 5.00 on Monday
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