The BoyleSports Irish Grand National — 3 miles 5 furlongs of jumping, 30 runners, and a prize fund of €500,000 — has a habit of throwing up a winner that makes perfect sense in hindsight and baffles everyone who didn’t back it.
This pinstickers guide won’t promise miracles, but it will give you a decent feel for who’s worth a look.
If you fancy a horse purely because of its name, you’re in fine company. It’s a perfectly honourable tradition.
1. Better Days Ahead (14/1)
Gordon Elliott’s eight-year-old ran a cracker on his Navan comeback in February, and Elliott confirmed straight afterwards that the Irish National was the plan.
He carries top weight at 11st 12lb, which is never ideal, but his trainer has clawed a few lbs back by pairing him with an amateur jockey (7lb allowance). Worth serious consideration.
2. Search For Glory (20/1)
A nine-year-old who was in contention when sprawling and unseating at the last fence of the Ultima at Cheltenham — being prominent when things go wrong is not a sin.
He has National entry history and Elliott saddles him again. The form is better than the recent results suggest.
3. Argento Boy (18/1)
Willie Mullins has won this race twice times in the last six renewals. That is really the headline. Argento Boy is a grey seven-year-old who loves a good run and his connections explicitly mentioned the Irish National as a target after his Naas Grade 3 win in January.
With Mullins, you seldom need more reason but if you do then he also has the same owners as Galopin Des Champs!
4. Joystick (33/1)
Another Mullins grey seven-year-old, owned by the Ricci’s, who improved sharply when stepped up in trip to 3m at Navan in January.
At 33/1 he is not the stable’s main hope but in a field of 30, his yard’s runners always deserve a second glance.
5. The Jukebox Kid (6/1)
One of the market leaders, trained in Britain by Ben Pauling, who was admirably direct: “I think there might be a tilt at the Irish National.”
The Jukebox Kid has won twice at Ascot this season and is heading in the right direction. Owned by the Sixsmiths Overlords, which sounds like a band that would play the same racecourse.
6. Rushmount (50/1)
Won a handicap at Thurles by 14 lengths off what proved a lenient mark. Ridden by a 7lb claimer and trained by Jonathan Sweeney, he has enjoyed his best hurdling form at Fairyhouse.
Needs most things to go right, but 50/1 is a long price for a horse whose trainer is on a good run.
7. Yeah Man (50/1)
Ran in this race last year but pulled up. That is a fact worth holding onto.
His current season is a mixed bag but Gavin Cromwell is a sharp trainer and Yeah Man’s overall chasing experience is a genuine asset.
8. C’Est Ta Chance (16/1)
“It’s Your Chance” — Willie Mullins is practically telling you. A seven-year-old who won at Thurles in March before pulling clear, he has been stepping up in trip with each run and Paul Townend rode him with great confidence.
One of the more lively Mullins entries.
9. Flicker Of Hope (18/1)
“He jumps brilliant and takes lengths out of everything over his fences,” according to trainer Mark Fahey.
Won over 3m½f at Naas in January and stays 3m comfortably. Reasonably weighted and from an enthusiastic stable. The name sounds like a punter’s mantra, which may be appropriate.
10. Soldier In Milan (7/1)
Among the shorter prices and one of the most interesting novices in the race. Trainer Emmet Mullins says his game is “three miles, staying tests on soft ground” and he won at Punchestown in February with something in hand.
His breeding — Soldier Of Fortune out of a Milan mare — fairly shouts stayer. This is Emmet Mullins first runner in the Irish Grand Nationa, though he did win the Aintree Grand National with Noble Yeats!
11. Monbeg Genius (20/1)
A ten-year-old who was third in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. Trainers Jonjo and AJ O’Neill confirmed the Irish National is the plan.
At a lenient weight for a horse of his ability, he can stay all day and will not be stopping in the closing stages.
12. Shecouldbeanything (25/1)
The name is not a recommendation but the stable is. Gordon Elliott confirmed after her last run that the Irish National was next and this nine-year-old mare has been running consistently all season.
She has the experience and the trainer to be competitive and has finished in the money 77% of the time (If you’re looking for an each-way chance).
13. Kiss Will (7/1)
Short in the market, saddled by Mullins, and will be ridden by Paul Townend.
Kiss Will won at Perth last season over 3m, jumped well, and Townend gave him a glowing report. He has not won over fences yet but looks likely to remedy that soon — possibly here.
14. Velvet Elvis (125/1)
The name alone deserves a small bet, and his trainer noted that a small field suits him.
His recent form does not inspire confidence, and his odds reflect that. Bet accordingly — small, affectionately, and with no expectations.
15. One Big Bang (14/1)
A grey eight-year-old trained in Wales who ran well in the National Hunt and consistently around 3m.
He acts on varying ground and has been progressive this season under a young jockey now replaced by Sean Bowen. Solid each-way profile at 14/1.
16. Goraibhmaithagat (11/1)
Translating as “Thank You” in Irish, which is what his backers will be hoping to say when the race is over!
He finished a close second in a Listed handicap at Naas in March, having already won there in February, ridden each time by Mark Walsh, and has JP McManus’s backing.
At 11/1 the form book takes him seriously.
17. Karia Des Blaises (33/1)
A six-year-old Mullins mare who won at Thurles in February with a jumping display Paul Townend described as “lovely.”
Lightly raced, unexposed, and partnering with the only female jockey in this year’s race – Anna McGuinness.
18. Better Times Ahead (20/1)
Not to be confused with Better Days Ahead at number one. Better Times Ahead is a nine-year-old who has won at Fairyhouse twice this season and trainer Robert Tyner noted cheerfully: “He’s after winning here twice now, so he seems to handle the course.”
That is a perfectly reasonable basis for a bet.
19. Hartur d’Arc (100/1)
A nine-year-old who ran second in a Listed chase at Naas from a higher mark last season.
His current form since has been modest (I’m being kind). At 100/1 the name has a certain grandeur but the evidence for a big run is limited.
20. Kurasso Blue (28/1)
A five-year-old, and the youngest in the field, who won over 2m7f at Punchestown in December.
Gordon Elliott has won this once before and knows how to place a young horse. The Cheltenham pulled up run can probably be set aside. Youth, potential, and a very successful trainer.
21. The Enabler (28/1)
Won a beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse in December and has course experience, which matters in a race of this nature.
Gordon Elliott saddles him and remains noncommittal about his ideal trip — which at least keeps the door open for this one.
22. Duffle Coat (66/1)
A grey nine-year-old who was brought down at Cheltenham last season when in a reasonable position.
He has not reproduced that form since and was pulled up here last year. A warm coat is useful on Easter Monday in Ireland, but this one may not carry you far.
23. O’Toole (40/1)
Won a Listed handicap chase at Leopardstown in March with JJ Slevin producing a masterclass in patient riding.
Trainer Stuart Crawford said this race had been the plan all season and that the further O’Toole went, the better he jumped.
At 40/1, a ten-year-old back at a more suitable trip is worth a small each-way interest.
24. Sa Majeste (40/1)
His Majesty is trained by Willie Mullins and wears the JP McManus colours. He won at Fairyhouse in February 2025 but then pulled up in this race two months later.
Has not sparkled this season but Mullins horses can never be overlooked.
25. Showurappreciation (8/1)
Arrives here on the back of three wins on the bounce, including a Listed handicap chase at Navan in late March.
Jonathan Sweeney had the race as the plan all season, Mark Walsh rides, and JP McManus owns him.
Of all the horses with warm form heading in, Showurappreciation makes the most compelling case.
26. Western Walk (25/1)
Third in a Grade 1 novice chase at Limerick at Christmas. He didn’t do great on a return to hurdles at Thurles, which was baffling to everyone including the connections, and can be forgiven.
Back over fences at a trip that suits, he is not without interest.
27. Weveallbeencaught (28/1)
The name conveys a certain philosophical calm about the whole business of running in big handicaps.
He ran a solid seventh in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. Not without a shout at 28/1 if conditions click.
28. Born Braver (33/1)
Won the Ulster National over 3m4f at Downpatrick, in late March in decisive fashion. Jockey Keith Donoghue said he “jumped brilliantly” and that the trip suited perfectly.
He just missed the cut for the Aintree Grand National, making this his big day. An eight-year-old heading the right way at a lovely price.
29. Shanbally Kid (33/1)
Won at Punchestown over 3m7½f last May in emphatic fashion. Willie Mullins said he is probably a Grand National horse for the future and likes to be kept away from other horses — “a bit like his owner,” according to the trainer.
If he returns to that Punchestown level, he will be right in the mix.
30. Waterford Whispers (16/1)
A beautiful name for a Henry De Bromhead-trained horse owned by JP McManus. He ran third in a Grade 3 handicap chase at Leopardstown in February, followed by a stint in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, showing he gets the trip.
Darragh O’Keeffe is an excellent jockey for a horse who needs to be produced late. At 16/1 he is one of the cleaner each-way bets in the race.
Who Will Win?
So there you my my pinstickers guide for the 2026 Irish Grand National. If you are going on form, Showurappreciation arrives with more momentum than almost anyone and the trainer has planned this all season.
Waterford Whispers is the cleaner each-way bet for a De Bromhead yard that knows how to win these. For the Mullins special, C’Est Ta Chance is the one fans seem most enthusiastic about.
For all that though, I still think that Shecouldbeanything, One Big Bang, Better Times Ahead and The Jukebox Kid could all run well and maybe even produce the winner!
And if you are going purely on the name? Put something on Goraibhmaithagat – you can thank him later!
Enjoy the racing.
BETFRED
