The Irish Grand National is a handicap chase that takes place over a distance of 3 miles and 5 furlongs at Fairyhouse. It traditionally takes place on Easter Monday, which means the 2019 Irish Grand National will take place on April 22.
The race was first run in 1870, since when it has been won by some of the best staying chasers of all-time, including Arkle, Flyingbolt, Rhyme ‘n’ Reason, Desert Orchid, Bobbyjo, and Numbersixvalverde.
Irish Grand National 10-Year-Trends
- The last 10 winners were aged between six and 10
- Nine of the last 10 winners were rated between 128 and 142
- Nine of the last 10 winners carried 10-13 or less
- Two of the last ten favourites have won at 9/2 and 8/1
- Six of the last 10 winners were returned at between 20/1 and 50/1
Irish Grand National 2019 Main Contenders
Any Second Now
Well-backed to win the Kim Muir Chase at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival and this seven-year-old could improve even more for stepping-up in trip. The negative is that he’s rated higher than nine of the last 10 Irish Grand National winners and is set to carry more than 11-0.
Discorama
Ran a tremendous race to be second in the National Hunt Chase at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, especially as he was hampered more than once. He was just outstayed there over four-miles, so he could benefit for the drop back to 29 furlongs. However, he’s another that is rated and weighted higher than most Irish Grand National winners.
Pairofbrowneyes
Faller at the fifth fence when favourite for the 2018 Irish Grand National, so it was too early to say whether he would have stayed. Connections obviously think he will but he’s again rated higher than most winners having won last time over three miles.
General Principle
The big aim for last year’s winner was the Grand National, but he fell just halfway in that race when still in contention. He’s just a few pounds higher than last year though, so there’s no reason why he can’t go close again, providing he’s over his fall at Aintree.
Gun Digger
Has run some solid races in novice chases over shorter trips for Gordon Elliott this season and was noted running well when falling in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Likely to get in somewhere near the bottom of the weights and he looks just the type to go well carrying a low-weight in a handicap for the first time.
Baie Des Iles
Has been touted as a likely National winner for a while and, having finished sixth in the 2016 edition a five-year-old, he returns as an eight-year-old with a nice low-weight. This could be his time.
Irish Grand National 2019 Summary
It’s easy to see why those at the head of the market are fancied, but past statistics suggest the likes of Any Second Now, Pairofbrowneyes, and Discorama will have to be approaching top-class to carry the weight they’ve been allotted. That’s why there could be better value near the bottom of the weights, with Gun digger taken to run well at a big price.
Irish Grand National 2019 Tip
- Gun Digger (Each-Way)