Irish Grand National Tips 2025: Haiti Couleurs can strike for Welsh raider

Easter Monday is a big day in the Irish racing calendar as Fairyhouse stages the Irish Grand National. The Co Meath venue had to give up day one of their three-day Easter Festival on Saturday due to heavy rain leaving standing water on the track, but they were back on schedule on Sunday and no issues are forecast for this prestigious card. 

The Irish Grand National goes off at 17:00 on Monday, with three-miles-and-five-furlongs between the contenders and a payout of €275,000. Below are my two to follow in the Fairyhouse feature race, with a reminder that Betfred are paying out SIX places each-way in the Irish Grand National. 

Irish Grand National Odds

Haiti Couleurs @ 6/1

Rebecca Curtis pinpointed the Irish National as a target in the aftermath of watching HAITI COULEURS win the National Hunt Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival and she's been true to her word in heading for Fairyhouse. 

The eight-year-old won at Cheltenham in December to make it 2-3 over fences and was immediately aimed at the National Hunt Cup. 

He had a prep run over hurdles at Newbury (3m, soft) in February, finishing third off a mark of 135, and cashed in at Cheltenham off the same mark at the festival back over the larger obstacles. 

His jumping was excellent in December and more than satisfactory in March. Haiti Couleurs looked the winner from a long way out under Ben Jones last time and delivered in good style up the Cheltenham hill. 

Curtis believes he has 'all the right attributes' for Fairyhouse and suggested: "We know he stays really well, he jumps well, the ground should suit and I still think he's potentially on quite a nice mark." 

He's 6lb higher than for his Cheltenham win but has a nice racing weight of 10st 13lb and champion jockey-elect Sean Bowen is back in the plate. The Pembrokeshire-based trainer is having her most productive season in five years and could be set to taste big-race success in Ireland.

Shecouldbeanything @ 50/1

Haiti Couleurs is right at the front of the market and it's worth having one on side at a bigger price too. 

Gordon Elliott saddles seven runners, including top-weight Better Days Ahead and Duffle Coat, who unseated early in the Aintree National. 

His mare SHECOULDBEANYTHING is one that might outrun a big price under Jordan Gainford. 

She was a four-time winner over fences earlier in the season including Listed/Grade 3 novice contests at Bangor and Tipperary. 

She was also competitive behind the likes of Croke Park and Bioluminescence and warmed up for this with a good third in the Mares' Chase at Cheltenham over 2m4½f. 

Her stamina is unproven but her point-to-point win is a positive nod in that regard. She does need further improvement on paper but that could be forthcoming and, with those six each-way places to play for, Shecouldbeanything is one of the more appealing outsiders.

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