Top duo chase first BoyleSports Irish Grand National success

Both Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins are seeking their first win in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National and they dominate the entries for Ireland’s richest National Hunt race after today’s final forfeit stage.

The €500,000 spectacular at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday might well decide the destination of the trainers’ championship and of the 55 horses remaining in the race, Gordon Elliott, the season’s leading trainer, is responsible for 16, double that of his great rival.

While Elliott has a stronger hand numerically, Mullins can boast ante-post favourites Pairofbrowneyes and Bellshill among his team. He could also call upon the likes of Isleofhopendreams and Kemboy while Elliott’s leading players look to include Monbeg Notorious, Folsom Blue, Squouateur and top-weight Outlander.

Last year’s winning trainer Jessica Harrington has left in both A Sizing Network and Close Shave but neither are guaranteed a run at this stage. Mall Dini holds a prominent position in the early betting market and will definitely make the final cut for trainer Pat Kelly while there are also places for the Noel Meade-trained A Genie In Abottle, Snow Falcon, Moulin A Vent and Bonny Kate should they be declared at 10am on Good Friday.

Andrew McNamara and Ross O’Sullivan could be represented by Val De Ferbet and Call It Magic while Thunder And Roses, winner of the race in 2015, is a likely runner for Mouse Morris. Joseph O'Brien has left in Arkwrisht and Eoghan O’Grady, John Ryan and Tom Mullins look set to run Westerner Point, Kilcarry Bridge and Oscar Knight respectively.

Peter Roe, General Manager of Fairyhouse Racecourse, said: “It is great to see such a competitive field gearing up for the €500,000 BoyleSports Irish Grand National. Multiple Grade 1 winner Outlander heads the field which includes Bobbyjo Chase winner Bellshill and Thyestes winner Monbeg Notorious. Both contenders for the Irish trainers’ championship Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins will be bidding for their first victory in the race and what a story it would be if our race decided the destination of the title. The ground remains soft to heavy after 2mm of rain overnight and the forecast remains unsettled.”

Leon Blanche, BoyleSports spokesman, said: “It’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive renewals of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National. Willie Mullins who has yet to win the race, currently has both joint-favourites with Pairofbrowneyes and Bellshill at 8/1. Bellshill who was mightily impressive winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time out, is by far the biggest loser in the book. Killaro Boy is a horse who has been backed at much bigger prices than his current price of 33/1 and does pose a small liability to us at this stage.”

BoyleSports ante-post betting:

8/1         Pairofbrowneyes
8/1         Bellshill
10/1       Monbeg Notorious
12/1       Folsom Blue
12/1       Mall Dini
14/1       Squouateur
16/1       Dounikos
20/1       Isleofhopeanddreams
20/1       Oscar Knight
20/1       Kemboy
20/1       Bless the Wings
25/1       Jetstream Jack
25/1       Livelovelaugh
25/1       Patrick’s Park
25/1       Snow Falcon
25/1       Outlander
25/1       Pleasant Company
25/1       Scoir Mear
25/1       Lord Scoundrel
25/1       Childrens List
25/1       General Principle
33/1       Bar