BoyleSports Irish Grand National Announce Star-Studded Line-Up
Ardee News and Sport – BoyleSports Irish Grand National Announce Star-Studded Line-Up
Huge Interest as Star-Studded Line-Up Announced for BoyleSports Irish Grand National
The countdown to the BoyleSports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, April 21, has begun, with a stellar line-up of 86 entries generating huge excitement among racing enthusiasts. Among the entries are 11 British contenders, adding an international flair to Ireland’s richest jumps race, which boasts a prize fund of €500,000, including €270,000 for the winner.
One of the most anticipated British entries is Haiti Couleurs, winner of the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Trainer Rebecca Curtis wasted no time in nominating Fairyhouse as the next stop for her star chaser, who has been allotted 10st. Joining him are fellow Cheltenham Festival winners Stumptown (10st 8lb), Daily Present (9st 10lb), and Wonderwall (9st 9lb), all of whom could make their mark over the marathon 3m 5f contest.
Jonjo O’Neill, who won this race in 2014 with Shutthefrontdoor, has entered two runners: Johnnywho (10st 5lb) and Hasthing (9st 5lb). Other notable UK entries include Iroko (10st 11lb) for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, Resplendent Grey (9st 13lb) for Olly Murphy, and Henry’s Friend (10st 2lb) for Ben Pauling.
The Irish challenge is spearheaded by last year’s Grand National hero I Am Maximus, who tops the weights at 11st 12lb. Defending champion Intense Raffles has been given 11st 1lb, hoping to become the first back-to-back winner in over a decade. Trim trainer Tom Gibney, who guided Intense Raffles to victory last year, has also entered Kinturk Kalanisi (9st 8lb) in pursuit of a third title.
Gavin Cromwell, who is yet to win this race, has assembled a strong team of 11 entries, including Paddy Power Chase winner Perceval Legallois (10st 12lb) and the exciting mare Bioluminescence (10st 4lb). Meanwhile, Willie Mullins, a two-time winner of the race, has an astonishing 22 entries, featuring the Grade 1-winning novice Impaire Et Passe (10st 12lb) and Dancing City (10st 10lb).
Gordon Elliott, aiming to add a second Irish Grand National to his record after General Principle’s 2018 triumph, has 13 entries, headed by Better Days Ahead (10st 13lb). Dermot McLoughlin, who trained back-to-back winners in 2021 and 2022, has entered Lord Lariat (9st 11lb), hoping to recapture past glories.
Among the standout contenders is Gentlemansgame (11st 5lb), third in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. Trained by Mouse Morris, who has won this race twice as a trainer and once as a jockey, he could provide an intriguing storyline for the 2025 renewal.
Peter Roe, general manager of Fairyhouse, expressed his excitement: “It is great to have the previous three winners of the race, four winners from this year’s Cheltenham Festival, and 11 UK-trained horses. There is a great depth of top novice chasers entered, and I am really looking forward to another fascinating renewal of Ireland’s greatest chase.”
With a wide-open betting market and an array of talent set to line up, this year’s BoyleSports Irish Grand National promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Racing fans are urged to secure their spots early, as hospitality packages are selling fast for what is sure to be an unforgettable Easter Monday at Fairyhouse.
Click here for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National entries at weights
BoyleSports Irish Grand National odds
8/1 Haiti Couleurs
12/1 Better Days Ahead
12/1 Now Is The Hour
14/1 Daily Present
14/1 High Class Hero
14/1 Intense Raffles
14/1 Johnnywho
14/1 Quai De Bourbon
16/1 Bioluminescence
16/1 Captain Cody
16/1 Chosen Witness
16/1 Dancing City
16/1 Hasthing
16/1 I Am Maximus
16/1 Impaire Et Passe
16/1 Iroko
16/1 Kinturk Kalanisi
16/1 Nick Rockett
16/1 Perceval Legallois
16/1 Stumptown
16/1 Wonderwall
20/1 Aworkinprogress
20/1 Duffle Coat
20/1 Gentlemansgame
20/1 Loughglynn
20/1 Malina Girl
20/1 Meetingofthewaters
20/1 Minella Cocooner
20/1 Monbeg Park
20/1 Olympic Man
20/1 Panda Boy
20/1 Resplendent Grey
20/1 The Short Go
20/1 Three Card Brag
25/1 Any Second Now
25/1 Bushmans Pass
25/1 Canal End
25/1 Favori De Champdou
25/1 Grangeclare West
25/1 Harry Des Ongrais
25/1 Kilcruit
25/1 Mint Boy
25/1 O’Connell
25/1 Sa Majeste
25/1 Sequestered
25/1 Shecouldbeanything
25/1 Val Dancer
25/1 Will Do
25/1 Yeah Man
33/1 Fortunedefortunata
33/1 Henry’s Friend
33/1 Herakles Westwood
33/1 Macdermott
33/1 Noble Birth
33/1 Outside The Door
33/1 Search For Glory
33/1 Union Station
33/1 Velvet Elvis
40/1 Busselton
40/1 Desertmore House
40/1 Fil Dor
40/1 Judicieuse Allen
40/1 Macs Charm
50/1 A Penny A Hundred
50/1 Another Choice
50/1 Brandt
50/1 Cleatus Poolaw
50/1 Dunboyne
50/1 Final Orders
50/1 Iris Emery
50/1 Jumping Jet
50/1 Klarc Kent
50/1 Lord Lariat
50/1 Paggane
50/1 Prince Palace
50/1 Roi Mage
50/1 Spanish Harlem
50/1 Stuzzikini
50/1 Tullybeg
66/1 Banjaxed
66/1 Chigorin
66/1 History Of Fashion
66/1 Inis Oirr
66/1 Jody Ted
66/1 Moonovercloon
66/1 The Gradual Slope
