Irish Grand National Runners 2024: Guide to the Fairyhouse field

Easter Monday is the traditional home of the Irish Grand National and, with the holiday coming early this year, the Fairyhouse feature is the first up in a busy month of marathons, with Aintree and Ayr to follow.

Here we look at the contenders for the 21-runner Irish Grand National, due off at 17:00 on Monday at Fairyhouse, with Betfred offering each-way terms on the first five.

1. Minella Cocooner (Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins) 20/1

Always destined to be a stayer, second in two three-mile Grade 1s as a novice hurdler, he's won just once over fences but is acquitting himself well, though shouldering top-weight here is a stiff task.

2. Churchstonewarrior (Jonathan Sweeney/Mikey O'Sullivan) 25/1

Has a couple of non-completions this season in decent graded races, but the promise he showed last term as a novice shouldn't be disregarded and he's one that should relish this sort of race.

3. Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins/Paul Townend) 7/2

The choice of Paul Townend from the three Mullins contenders, he's a course-winning chaser over shorter and went close over 3m in a Grade 2 last time. Missed the Cheltenham Festival with this target in mind.

4. Favori De Champdou (Gordon Elliott/Danny Gilligan) 20/1

Beat a strong stayer in Sandor Clegane to win 3m Punchestown Grade 2 novice chase in November. Shortcomings exposed since in good company, makes handicap debut now and more required. One of seven for his trainer.

5. Senior Chief (Henry de Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore) 10/1

Shown progressive form in three chase starts. He was second to Minella Cocooner at Navan over 3m in January and won a Punchestown beginners' chase since, which is sound form. Could be nicely treated if seeing this distance out.

6. Any Second Now (Ted Walsh/Mark Walsh) 10/1

Seemingly a leading contender for these types of races for a long time, twice placed in Aintree Nationals, though pulled up there last season. Form this season is modest but dipped 10lb in the ratings as a result and trainer is bullish.

7. Intense Raffles (Tom Gibney/JJ Slevin) 6/1

French import has won both starts for this trainer, both here, over 2m6f and 3m1½f on testing ground. Just the type to go well in this race.

8. Yeah Man (Gavin Cromwell/Keith Donoghue) 9/1

Fell at Ascot on seasonal bow but went close there in December and a good winner of the Haydock Grand National Trial since over this sort of trip. Should be in the mix from 7lb higher for top trainer.

9. Diol Ker (Gordon Elliott/Kieran Buckley) 66/1

Ex-Noel Meade inmate, midfield in this race in 2022 and not enough encouragement in his efforts since moving to this trainer to suggest he's the answer.

10. Dunboyne (Gordon Elliott/Sam Ewing) 40/1

Strong stayer when in the mood but has been pulled up in three of his last four starts, fourth in the Troytown at Navan in November being the exception. Attitude under question.

11. Hartur D'arc (Gavin Cromwell/Sean Flanagan) 8/1

Second Gavin Cromwell contender and another likely sort, he made it 2-2 for this yard when scoring in a Listed handicap at Naas (3m1f, soft) this month and could have more to give having gone up 9lb.

12. Frontal Assault (Gordon Elliott/Carl Millar) 33/1

Better effort last time when fourth behind Hartur D'arc at Naas, the nine-year-old has form over this course and distance.

13. Where It All Began (Gordon Elliott/Jack Kennedy) 11/1

The pick of Jack Kennedy from Elliott's seven runners, he is a strong stayer and will handle testing ground. Only a modest fourth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last time but on a fair mark and should go well.

14. Cool Survivor (Gordon Elliott/Jordan Gainford) 33/1

Yet to win over fences (0-5) and his jumping let him down in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last time. Needs to bounce back.

15. Good Time Johnny (Tony Martin/Philip Enright) 10/1

Good stayer over hurdles, he's been gaining experience in four runs over fences and is one to note from a fair mark now upped markedly in trip on handicap bow.

16. Street Value (John Flavin/Darragh O'Keefe) 33/1

He won over course and distance in December off a lower rating in a Listed handicap but has been pulled up in his two most recent starts. Handicapper eased him 2lb for this.

17. Daily Present (Paul Nolan/Sean O'Keefe) 20/1

Just behind Where It All Began in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, he had previously won at Down Royal (3m, soft) in January and, after five chase starts, has the profile of one that could improve and do well in this.

18. Royal Thief (Gordon Elliott/Kevin Sexton) 80/1

Completes the Elliott mob. He won twice over fences for Henry de Bromhead (three years apart) but his form for this yard is uninspiring, despite tumbling in the ratings.

19. We'llhavewan (Willie Mullins/Kieran Callaghan) 14/1

Was 16-lengths second behind Where It All Began last time at Punchestown in their Grand National Trial. He remains unexposed over fences and is much better off at the weights with that rival now. Not dismissed.

20. Where's Frankie (Karl Thornton/Donagh Meyler) 14/1

Does the majority of his racing here and is a four-time course winner, latest over 3m2f (soft) in January. Should give his running but a career-best is demanded.

21. History Of Fashion (Pat Fahy/Richie Condon) 66/1

Just 1-22 over fences and that success came back in January 2022. Has toiled behind some of these rivals in his two starts this season and seems an unlikely contender now.

Check out our Irish Grand National Tips here.