Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Monday including 16/1 Irish Grand National pick

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Fairyhouse, 14:40 - Back North Shore E/W @ 15/28.50

North Shore didn't run his race at Cheltenham in the Triumph Hurdle, failing to sustain his challenge when sent off at odds of 16/117.00 that day. Whilst this is another tough assignment, it's slightly less competitive and in different circumstances, which could allow him to fare better.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding had previously run well in defeat twice behind Narciso Has at a time when the yard wasn't firing. The stable is in much better form currently and the son of The Grey Gatsby could be capable of a bold showing if bouncing back from his latest run.

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Fairyhouse, 15:15 - Back Must Go Now E/W @ 16/117.00

Edward Cawley-trained Must Go Now runs off a mark of 114, 5lb higher than when a good third at odds of 28/129.00 to Onlymammycanloveme at Cork when last seen. He has 7lb claimer Sarah Kavanagh aboard, however, easing his burden at the weights, and could be capable of another bold showing at big odds.

The likeable nine-year-old returned to form in good fashion last month in first-time cheekpieces, which are off now, showing he still retains plenty of ability. He can take another step forward in this race and is one to note each-way.

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Fairyhouse, 15:15 - Back Welonlyhavedone E/W @ 16/117.00

Welonlyhavedone missed out at Cheltenham having held entries there, but remains a horse to keep onside for Gavin Cromwell having shown a decent level of ability in his short career to date. He's completely unexposed in handicap company but could be well treated from a mark of 130.

The point winner won his maiden hurdle by 12-lengths earlier this term, before lining up against subsequent Grade One winner I'll Sort That in a novice event over an extended 2m4f in his following appearance. He was a late faller when in contention that day, looking likely to give the eventual winner, now rated 143, something to think about.

Although he wasn't able to fire at Cheltenham in November, conditions were incredibly tough that day and it was a run worth forgiving, he bounced back at Navan in January, finishing a creditable third at odds of 20/121.00 to Zeus Power. He lacks consistency but is capable of showing further improvement and may be worth keeping the faith in considering some of the eyecatching form he has shown already.

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Fairyhouse, 15:50 - Back Storm Heart @ 7/24.50

Willie Mullins-trained Storm Heart has been generally consistent over hurdles to date and has run well in each of his outings so far this season. Now bidding for a fifth career win back up in Grade, the six-year-old makes appeal.

He put in a good effort to finish third to Jingko Blue at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen, making the frame in the 24-runner field on that occasion, sticking to the task late on, and had previously proven himself at Grade Three level when winning at Gowran Park.

Earlier in his career, Storm Heart showed a great amount of ability, winning his maiden hurdle by 22-lengths before chasing home Kargese at Grade One level at the Dublin Racing Festival. He finished fifth to Majborough in the Triumph Hurdle and fourth to Kargese in the Punchestown equivalent, beaten only two-and-a-quarter-lengths that day.

A likeable performer, Storm Heart could return to the winners' enclosure in this two-and-a-half-mile contest under Paul Townend and warrants consideration for team Closutton.

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Fairyhouse, 16:20 - Back Found A Fifty @ 5/23.50

Defending champion Found A Fifty won this race twelve months ago and could repeat that feat under Jack Kennedy for Gordon Elliott, seeking a tenth career win.

He hasn't been able to show his true ability in either of his latest two outings, but has course-and-distance winning form, proven form in this race, and is often able to perform well at this level, perhaps falling just short of Grade One level ability now in open company as a chaser.

The nine-year-old won two Grade One contests as a novice chaser earlier in his career, and has added five Grade Two prizes to his honours in recent terms. He should be suited by conditions in this race and holds solid claims, making the most appeal for the Cullentra stable.

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Fairyhouse, 17:00 - Back Soldier In Milan E/W @ 13/27.50

Soldier Of Fortune gelding Soldier In Milan is an intriguing contender for Emmet Mullins in this prestigious staying contest.

He beat Kiss Will in his penultimate start, staying on well in testing conditions over the 2m7f trip that day before being sent off as the 11/82.38 favourite when upped to Grade Three level, failing to get involved over the shorter distance in a race won by C'est Ta Chance.

There should be more to come from the seven-year-old, who makes only his fifth chasing start, however. He's a point winner and beat subsequent Grade One winner King Rasko Grey convincingly in a bumper at Punchestown last spring. 

Having shown talent and potential as a staying chaser to date, Soldier In Milan could be worth keeping onside under Donagh Meyler.

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Fairyhouse, 17:00 - Back Waterford Whispers E/W @ 16/117.00

Eight-year-old gelding Waterford Whispers is another to consider each-way in the Irish Grand National, representing Henry de Bromhead. He caught the eye running on strongly in the Kim Muir when last seen at Cheltenham, finishing eighth to Ask Brewster on that occasion, having previously placed behind Backmersackme at the Dublin Racing Festival in another competitive 23-runner handicap.

Earlier in the term, he shaped with potential over fences, achieving a third-placed finish to Will The Wise at Galway, having chased home Ile Atlantique at Navan in the previous season. He's yet to get off the mark as a chaser but remains a horse with potential and could be open to further progression.

As a novice hurdler, the son of Westerner beat Answer To Kayf at this venue, before going on to finish second to Better Days Ahead in the Martin Pipe when sent off the 100/304.30 favourite in the final race of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. A mark of 134 appears workable and he is one to note each-way at odds of 16/117.00, shortened from 33/134.00.

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Read Katie Midwinter's Irish Grand National runner-by-runner guide here!

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Fairyhouse, 17:40 - Back Union Station E/W @ 9/110.00

Union Station was given a patient ride by Keith Donoghue in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, smuggled into the race quietly to achieve a fourth-placed finish. He was never in a position to really threaten eventual dominant winner Holloway Queen, but emerged with great credit in defeat, catching the eye late on, and should hold leading claims here from a 6lb lower mark.

The seven-year-old has amassed plenty of experience in big field handicaps, often sent off at short odds to land a staying contest over fences. He's often bumped into one, finishing second on four occasions over fences to date, and is still seeking a first career win, but has shown enough ability to suggest a trip to the winners' enclosure isn't too far away.

This could be a feasible opportunity for Union Station on the back of a promising run and he has performed well at this track in the past, too. He shouldn't be discounted for Gavin Cromwell and can make his presence felt.

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