Irish Grand National: Timeform's expert verdict

• Timeform's runner-by-runner guide to the Irish Grand National

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Irish Grand National
17:00 Fairyhouse, Monday
Live on ITV

1. Minella Cocooner (Willie Mullins/ Danny Mullins)

Smart winner over two and three-quarter miles over hurdles (second in the 2022 Albert Bartlett) and has shown similar form over fences, although disappointed with his finishing effort when fancied for the Leinster National at Naas 22 days ago.

2. Churchstonewarrior (Jonahan Sweeney/ Michael O'Sullivan)

Smart chaser but has failed to complete in a couple of good three-mile events this term. However, should be better suited by a staying handicap like this after a break.

3. Nick Rockett (Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend)

Rapidly developed into a smart novice hurdler last spring (won a Grade 2 at this meeting) and has taken well to fences this term, winning a maiden here and then finishing second in a three-mile Navan Grade 2. More to come over this marathon trip and will relish conditions so holds leading claims.

4. Favori de Champdou (Gordon Elliott/ Danny Gilligan (5))

Winner of three of his six starts over hurdles and was impressive when taking the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown in November. Hasn't been so good twice since, though, and a revival is needed now handicapping over a new trip.

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

Useful hurdler who got off the mark over fences in workmanlike fashion over just shy of 23 furlongs at Punchestown 43 days ago, taking a while to find top gear off what was a very steady gallop. Remains with both untapped potential and stamina (will stay further than three miles) and can go well.

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

One-time top-class chaser who was placed in the Grand National at Aintree in 2021 (unlucky) and 2022. Has been down the field in valuable handicap chases this season (well held over hurdles last time), but has dropped plenty in the weights as a result and has been well backed for this in recent weeks.

7. Intense Raffles (Tom Gibney/ JJ Slevin)

Made it two from two for his new yard when landing a four-runner novice chase over an extended 25 furlongs on heavy ground 37 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Could be smart and is one to note now handicapping.

8. Yeah Man (Gavin Cromwell/ Keith Donoghue)

Has been in excellent form this season and was value for more than the length-and-a-half winning margin in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase over an extended three and a half miles at Haydock 44 days ago. The cheekpieces he wore for the first time there are retained and he can go well again.

9. Diol Ker (Gordon Elliott/ Kieren Buckley)

Useful hurdler and chaser but is on a losing run of 13 that stretches back to 2022. Well-beaten tenth of 12 to Hartur d'Arc in the Leinster National last time and has work to do.

10. Dunboyne (Gordon Elliott/ Sam Ewing)

Unreliable type who was pulled up in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase won by Where It All Began at Punchestown 43 days ago, again folding tamely. Hard to fancy on that showing.

11. Hartur d'Arc (Gavin Cromwell/ Sean Flanagan)

Has done well for his new yard, winning both starts, and he produced a career best in the Leinster National at Naas 22 days ago, scoring with a bit in hand. Could have even more to offer and is one of two strong contenders for his yard.

12. Frontal Assault (Gordon Elliott/ Carl Millar (7))

Was runner-up in this in 2022 and ran better than for a while when fourth of 12, beaten 11 and three-quarter lengths, behind Hartur d'Arc in the Leinster National 22 days ago. Has a 7 lb conditional up.

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

Showed much improved form to open his account as a chaser in the 15-runner Grand National Handicap Chase over 27 furlongs at Punchestown in February. Was a fair fourth in the Kim Muir 18 days ago and remains unexposed in these sort of events. The pick of Jack Kennedy from Elliott's seven contenders.

14. Cool Survivor (Gordon Elliott/ Jordan Gainford)

Useful winner over three miles over hurdles. Went close in a Limerick beginners' chase on his return but hasn't kicked on since and was let down by his jumping in the Kim Muir 18 days ago.

15. Good Time Jonny (Tony Martin/ Phillip Enright)

Took the Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. Has yet to score in this sphere but it would be no surprise were he to step up on what he has shown so far and he is interesting up in trip.

16. Street Value (John Flavin/ Darragh O'Keeffe)

C&D winner in December but has failed to complete the last twice and was pulled up at Punchestown in the race won by Where It All Began. Hard to fancy now.

17. Daily Present (Paul Nolan/ Sean O'Keeffe)

Tongue tied and left previous chasing efforts well behind when switched to a handicap, scoring over three miles at Down Royal in January. Was well backed and shaped as if still in good form when fifth in the Kim Muir last time.

18. Royal Thief (Gordon Elliott/ Kevin Sexton)

Fairly useful chaser at his best but has been out of sorts this season and was only fifth in a veterans' handicap chase at Limerick 22 days ago.

19. We'llhavewan (Willie Mullins/ Kieran Callaghan (5))

Produced a career-best effort when winning a 16-runner handicap hurdle over 25 furlongs at Navan in December and ran well when a 16-length second to Where It All Began in a handicap chase at Punchestown 43 days ago. Could have more to offer over fences.

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

Posted a career-best effort when winning an 11-runner handicap chase over an exended three and a half miles at Leopardstown 29 days ago, keeping on well. Has stacks of course form but the suspicion is that he just lacks the class for a race like this.

21. History of Fashion (Pat Fahy/ Richard Condon (5))

It has been 18 runs since his sole win under Rules in 2022. Was only eighth behind Hartur d'Arc in the Leinster National and is tricky to fancy.

Timeform's Analyst Verdict:

The novices usually come to the fore in Ireland's premier handicap chase and NICK ROCKETT can give Willie Mullins another victory. A smart hurdler, he's taken really well to chasing this term and has more improvement to come when stamina is at a premium, as it will be here. Senior Chief boasts a similar profile and is a big player. Good Time Jonny is yet to show all he's capable of over fences, while Gavin Cromwell has a strong hand with Hartur d'Arc and Haydock-winner Yeah Man.

Timeform's 1-2-3:

1. Nick Rockett
2. Senior Chief
3. Good Time Jonny