By Luke Weaser-Seychell
The Irish Grand National on Easter Monday is one of the great racing traditions of the spring and the Fairyhouse showpiece is now beginning to take shape.
The race attracted 78 initial entries, but 14 of the first 20 runners at the head of the weights were taken out at the 5 day confirmation stage, including last year’s winner Intense Raffles and the first five home in this month’s Randox Grand National – Nick Rockett, I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West, Iroko and Meetingofthewaters.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Better Days Ahead is now set to head the weights, with the Cullentra handler still holding as many as 11 options in his quest to win the race for a second time.
We’ve got a tip to follow in the Fairyhouse feature, which goes to post at 5pm on Easter Monday April 21st and carries a top prize of €275,000.
Curtis raider well worth a look
Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis won the National Hunt Cup for the second time in her career when HAITI COULEURS bagged the Cheltenham Festival contest last month and he could be an ideal sort for this race now.
He won that contest in the Cotswolds with a good deal in hand, having been preserved for it after his December win at Cheltenham.
The step up in trip to three-and-a-half-miles was ideal and bodes well for Fairyhouse, as does his fast, accurate jumping.
He’s a winner on good ground, which has to be another plus with a dry weekend forecast before this race.
This race was immediately pinpointed after his most recent success and he looks a major contender to provide a first British-trained winner since Shutthefrontdoor scored for Jonjo O’Neill in 2014.
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