The Irish Grand National is one of those rare sporting events that brings everyone together—seasoned punters, casual fans, and those of us who just fancy a flutter once a year.
Whether you’re drawn in by the spectacle, the stories, or the sheer unpredictability of it all, the 2025 renewal at Fairyhouse on April 21st promises another dramatic chapter in this storied race’s history.
So, if you’re looking to pick a horse, follow the action, or just sound knowledgeable at the pub, here’s your friendly, in-depth guide to this year’s runners, how the weights work, and who might be in with a real chance.
Who’s Running? Meet the 2025 Contenders
With 30 horses declared, it’s a mix of seasoned campaigners, up-and-coming novices, and a few dark horses who could spring a surprise. Here’s a look at some of the key runners, their stories, and their chances, in language we can all understand.
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The Favourites
HAITI COULEURS 7/1 (Trainer: Rebecca Curtis, Jockey: Sean Bowen)
The current favourite, Haiti Couleurs, is a real talking horse this year. He won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month, which is always a strong pointer for this race. He’s proven over the trip, handles soft ground, and comes here in top form. If you like backing favourites, he’s the one to beat, but favourites don’t have a great record in this race—so keep that in mind.
NOW IS THE HOUR 15/2 (Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: Conor Stone-Walsh)
Another horse high up in the betting is Now Is The Hour, who was running a decent race in the Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase before falling late on. He’s got stamina in abundance and comes from a stable in great form. He’s a solid each-way bet if you want a horse likely to be thereabouts at the finish.
BETTER DAYS AHEAD 14/1 (Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Rob James)
Carrying top weight is a massive ask, but Better Days Ahead is a class act. He won at Cheltenham last year and has been mixing it with the best novices since. The ground is in his favour, and his jockey claims a valuable 7 pounds off, which helps. Still, only four horses in the last 24 years have carried more than 11 stone to victory, so history is against him.
JOHNNYWHO 12/1 (Trainer: Jonjo & AJ O’Neill, Jockey: Derek O’Connor)
Johnnywho ran a cracker to finish second in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. He’s unexposed over staying trips, and if he settles early, he could go very close. The big question is whether he’ll stay the extra distance, but if you like a horse with a touch of class and a top amateur rider on board, he’s a strong contender.
BIOLUMINESCENCE 8/1 (Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: Keith Donoghue)
This mare is a relentless galloper and has been running well against some good horses. She’s the pick of her stable’s runners and could become the first mare since 2013 to win the race. If the ground is soft, her chances improve even more.
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The Each-Way Value and Outsiders
KINTURK KALANISI (Trainer: Thomas Gibney, Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe)
Lightly raced over fences and improving with each run, Kinturk Kalanisi has a nice racing weight and comes from a yard that won this race last year. He’s not flashy but stays well and could sneak into the places at a decent price.
DAILY PRESENT (Trainer: Paul Nolan, Jockey: Aidan Kelly)
Pulled up in this race last year, but has improved this season, including a good win in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. With a 5-pound claim from his jockey, he’s another who could run into the frame if things fall his way.
ANY SECOND NOW (Trainer: Ted Walsh, Jockey: Mark Walsh)
The old boy of the field at 13, Any Second Now has been placed in both the Aintree and Irish Grand Nationals before. He’s a sentimental favourite and would be a hugely popular winner, but age is against him, and he might just find a few of the younger legs too quick.
WILL DO (Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Harry Sexton)
A late addition to the field, Will Do has shown he stays well and has been running consistently. He’s got a light weight and a jockey taking 7 pounds off. If you like an outsider with a chance, he’s one to consider.
Dark Horses and Longshots
FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU (Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Danny Gilligan)
A solid stayer with good form in big handicaps this season. First-time blinkers might sharpen him up, and he’s got the right profile for a race like this if you want a horse at a bigger price.
DUNBOYNE (Trainer: Ian Donoghue, Jockey: Donagh Meyler)
A surprise winner of the Ulster National last time out, he’s got an 8-pound penalty for that win, which makes life tough, but he’s in form and stays all day.
LORD LARIAT (Trainer: Dermot McLoughlin, Jockey: P J O’Hanlon)
Won this race in 2022 and knows what it takes. His recent form isn’t sparkling, but he loves the track and could outrun his odds if he’s in the mood.
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How to Pick a Winner?
If you’re just having your once-a-year bet, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Stamina is key: Horses need to stay the trip. Look for those who have run well over three miles or more.
- Weight matters: Horses carrying less than 11 stone have a better record, though don’t rule out the classier types carrying more.
- Ground conditions: If it’s soft or heavy, proven mudlarks have an edge.
- Trainer and jockey form: Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins, and Gavin Cromwell are the big names to watch. Jockeys who can claim a few pounds off are a plus.
Full List of Runners 2025 Irish Grand National
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haiti Couleurs | S Bowen | Rebecca Curtis | 6/1 |
| Bioluminescence | K M Donoghue | Gavin Cromwell | 13/2 |
| Now Is The Hour | C Stone-Walsh | Gavin Cromwell | 13/2 |
| Kinturk Kalanisi | D J O’Keeffe | Thomas Gibney | 13/2 |
| Quai De Bourbon | P Townend | W P Mullins | 8/1 |
| Johnnywho | Mr D O’Connor | Jonjo & A J O’Neill | 11/1 |
| Better Days Ahead | Mr R James | Gordon Elliott | 14/1 |
| Sa Majeste | S D Torrens | W P Mullins | 14/1 |
| Any Second Now | M P Walsh | T M Walsh | 14/1 |
| Daily Present | A P Kelly | Paul Nolan | 14/1 |
| Will Do | H E Sexton | Gordon Elliott | 14/1 |
| Malina Girl | S W Flanagan | Gavin Cromwell | 18/1 |
| Mint Boy | K C Sexton | Gavin Cromwell | 22/1 |
| Noble Birth | D King | Gavin Cromwell | 22/1 |
| Favori De Champdou | D J Gilligan | Gordon Elliott | 25/1 |
| Lord Lariat | P J O’Hanlon | Dermot Anthony McLoughlin | 25/1 |
| Final Orders | P M O’Brien | Gavin Cromwell | 25/1 |
| Bushmans Pass | P T Enright | Oliver McKiernan | 25/1 |
| Harry Des Ongrais | Rachael Blackmore | Henry de Bromhead | 28/1 |
| Search For Glory | Sam Ewing | Gordon Elliott | 28/1 |
| Duffle Coat | A Harvey | Gordon Elliott | 33/1 |
| Panda Boy | R A Doyle | Martin Brassil | 33/1 |
| Yeah Man | K E Buckley | Gavin Cromwell | 33/1 |
| Dunboyne | D Meyler | Ian Patrick Donoghue | 33/1 |
| Sequestered | J G Gilligan | Paul John Gilligan | 50/1 |
| Shecouldbeanything | J C Gainford | Gordon Elliott | 50/1 |
| Another Choice | S F O’Keeffe | Matthew J Smith | 50/1 |
| Desertmore House | J J Slevin | Martin Brassil | 66/1 |
| Stuzzikini | G Brouder | Gordon Elliott | 80/1 |
| Moonovercloon | B W Harvey | Matthew J Smith | 100/1 |
Antepost odds listed on this page are taken from Betfred on 16/04/2026. Check the odds with your Bookmaker before placing a bet, as fluctuations occur. Full Terms and Conditions for the promotional bet offers can be found on the respective websites – read them before you sign up.
My Shortlist and Verdict
I’ve focused on a couple of lively outsiders who could run a big race:
Any Second Now
Any Second Now is the grand old stager of this year’s field at 13 years old, but don’t let his age fool you—he’s a proven performer in marathon handicaps. He finished second in this race last year, just behind Intense Raffles, off a mark of 140. This year, he runs off a 1lb lower mark, which gives him a slight edge from a handicapping perspective.
His two runs this season have been solid, showing he retains plenty of ability for his age. While history is against older horses winning this race, his experience, stamina, and proven form over these fences make him a credible each-way contender. He’s likely to run his usual honest race and could easily hit the frame again if things fall right.
Daily Present
Daily Present is one of the more interesting runners and has attracted some positive attention from tipsters. He was in good form before landing the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, narrowly defeating Johnnywho. That win came off a mark of 130, and he’s up 7lb here, which is a fair rise but not insurmountable for a progressive type.
The Kim Muir is a strong piece of form and often produces horses who go well in big staying handicaps like this. Daily Present’s stamina is assured, and he’s seen as a lively each-way player. If he continues his upward trajectory, he’s got a real chance of being involved at the finish.
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What Makes the Irish Grand National Special?
The Irish Grand National is a marathon test—over three miles and five furlongs, with 24 fences to be jumped. It’s a handicap chase, which means every horse carries a different weight, designed to give each one a fair shot at glory. The field is always big (up to 30 runners), the prize money is huge (€500,000 in total), and the atmosphere is electric, both at Fairyhouse and in homes and pubs across Ireland and beyond.
How Are the Weights Decided?
If you’re new to racing, the concept of “weights” might seem confusing, but it’s actually quite clever. Horses are given an official rating based on their form and ability. The best horses carry the most weight, the less accomplished ones carry less. The idea is to level the playing field, so that in theory, every horse has a chance if the handicapper gets it right.
The highest-rated horse carries the “top weight,” usually around 11 stone 10 pounds, though this can change depending on the entries. Other horses carry less, according to their ratings. For example, if a horse is rated 10 pounds lower than the top-rated horse, it carries 10 pounds less.
Younger horses get a small allowance, and if a less experienced “conditional” jockey is riding, they can claim a few pounds off too, which helps both the horse and the up-and-coming rider.
This year, Better Days Ahead is carrying top weight, which is no small task—history tells us that lugging a big weight around Fairyhouse is tough, especially in testing ground.
Watching and Enjoying the Race
The Irish Grand National is live on ITV4 and Racing TV in Britain, and RTE2 in Ireland, with the race off at 5pm. Even if you don’t follow racing all year, it’s a great event to enjoy with friends and family—whether you’re glued to the TV or just checking your sweepstake horse.
Final Thoughts
The Irish Grand National is unpredictable, thrilling, and full of stories waiting to unfold. Whether you’re cheering on the favourite, hoping for a fairytale win for an old-timer, or just trying to pick a name you like, it’s a race that always delivers drama. Have fun, bet responsibly, and may the luck of the Irish be with you—especially if you only bet once a year!
All odds and runners correct as of April 21st, 2025. Always check the latest information before placing your bet.
