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2026 Irish Grand National Tips - Odds, trends and two selections for Fairyhouse

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Wed 01 Apr 2026 12:02

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Jon Vine 01 Apr 2026

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We've published our guide to the 2026 Irish Grand National
This historic handicap will take place on Easter Monday at Fairyhouse
C'Est Ta Chance and Blaze The Way are our two selections

Expired

Fairyhouse racecourse. (Getty)

The card at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday is headlined by the Irish Grand National. This historic handicap was first run at Fairyhouse in 1870, and has been won by legends like Bobbyjo, Desert Orchid and - the greatest of all time - Arkle during its long, illustrious history.

We've taken a look through the current Irish Grand National field and listed some key trends, before picking out our best betting tips.

2026 Irish Grand National Odds

Name	Odds
The Jukebox Kid	8/1
Argento Boy	10/1
C'Est Ta Chance	14/1
Soldier In Milan	14/1
Holloway Queen	14/1
Kiss Will	16/1
Bar	20/1

2026 Irish Grand National Trends

16 of the last 18 winners had won going right-handed
16 of the last 18 winners had won over at least three miles
16 of the last 18 winners had run at least three times that season
15 of the last 18 winners carried 10-13 or less
15 of the last 18 winners had run within the last 54 days
15 of the last 18 winners were first or second-season chasers
14 of the last 18 winners had won that season
14 of the last 18 winners had won at least twice over fences
13 of the last 18 winners went off at 12/1 or longer
13 of the last 18 winners did not win on their last start
13 of the last 18 winners were aged seven, eight or nine

The Irish Grand National has become a race for novices in recent years, and first-season chasers dominate the market again. Ben Pauling nominated the Irish Grand National as a target for The Jukebox Kid after his Grade Two victory in the Reynoldstown, and there isn't much rain due in the build-up to Monday's feature, which should suit the British challengers.

Willie Mullins looks set to run a handful of challengers, including Brown Advisory Novices' Chase eighth Argento Boy. Emmet Mullins has been training Solider In Milan for the Irish National all season. National Hunt Chase winner Holloway Queen, and Ladbrokes Trophy winner Lookaway will bolster the British challenge.

2026 Irish Grand National Ante-Post Tip - C'Est Ta Chance

I've already backed C'EST TA CHANCE (14/1) at 20/1, and I'm not surprised to see that Willie Mullins' novice has been backed towards the head of the market.

A fairly middle-of-the-road novice hurdler, C'Est Ta Chance has taken his game to a new level since being switched to fences. Willie Mullins' seven-year-old ran OK on his first couple of starts over the winter, before getting off the mark with a perfectly-timed late challenge at Gowran Park, where he beat stablemates Funiculi Funicula and King Alexander, along with Soldier In Milan.

With Paul Townend in the saddle, C'Est Ta Chance ran out a comfortable winner of the Pierce Molony Memorial Chase on the weekend before the Cheltenham Festival. Townend had to stoke his mount up on the final bend at Thurles, but C'Est Ta Chance responded well, forging five lengths clear of some decent rivals after another sound leap at the last.

Once again, Soldier In Milan finished behind C'Est Ta Chance at Thurles, and Emmet Mullins' charge has won himself since. Willie's seven-year-old has been rated the same as Soldier Of Milan at 142, despite clocking an RPR of 151 when beating that rival by seven lengths.

C'Est Ta Chance is bred to stay, he's proven on all kinds of ground and both of his wins over fences have come going right-handed. JJ Slevin, who rode Intense Raffles to victory in this race two years ago, will jump into C'Est Ta Chance's saddle. He's handicapped well enough to challenge.

2026 Irish Grand National Tip 2 - Blaze The Way

I've already mentioned Willie and Emmet, but they won't be the only members of the Mullins dynasty represented in this year's Irish Grand National. Margaret Mullins will saddle talented novice BLAZE THE WAY (33/1) and her son, Danny Mullins, looks likely to take the ride.

Blaze The Way shot to prominence in December when scoring at Cheltenham. Margaret Mullins' raider carried a lovely low weight into the Grade Three Turners' Handicap Chase, and ran out an impressive winner under Danny, beating L'Homme Presse, The Short Go and Heracles Westwood.

Having got a little bogged down in the mud at Naas in January, Blaze The Way took his chance in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival. Irish horses have a notoriously poor record in that contest, and the British handicapper forced Blaze The Way to run off a mark of 140. Danny managed to keep his mount in contention, despite a wide trip for much of that contest, but the door was slammed in his face by Search For Glory on the turn for home, and Blaze The Way finished a little one-paced back in seventh.

That was still a fine effort, given how much went against Blaze The Way at Cheltenham. Danny's mount is rated 140 in Ireland, and shouldn't have any trouble seeing out this trip if he puts in a clean round of jumping. A good-ground Irish Grand National will certainly suit Blaze The Way, and he's overpriced at his current odds of 33/1.

Live Stream

Visit our Irish Grand National Live Stream if you plan on watching this historic handicap via a mobile or tablet.

Irish Grand National 2026 FAQs

What is the Irish Grand National?

The Irish Grand National is Ireland’s most famous National Hunt steeplechase. It is run every Easter Monday at Fairyhouse Racecourse and is considered the Irish equivalent of the English Grand National.

When is the Irish Grand National in 2026?

The 2026 Irish Grand National takes place on Monday, 6th April 2026. This race takes place on the final day of Fairyhouse's Easter Festival, and is due to start at 5:00pm.

Who will win the 2026 Irish Grand National?

Novices have an excellent recent record, so it's no surprise to see The Juekbox Kid and Argento Boy at the top of the betting. C'Est Ta Chance and Blaze The Way have impressed during their first seasons over fences, and both enter with strong chances.

Where can I watch the 2026 Irish Grand National?

The Irish Grand National will be shown live on ITV Racing and RTE on Easter Monday. Visit our website if you want to stream the race live via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

Irish Grand National 2026

C'Est Ta Chance and Blaze The Way are our two selections in the 2026 Irish Grand National.

C'Est Ta Chance E/W

2026 Irish Grand National

@14/1 - 5 Units

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Blaze The Way E/W

2026 Irish Grand National

@33/1 - 5 Units

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