Irish Grand National 2026: Katie Midwinter's runner-by-runner guide and 1-2-3-4-5 prediction

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2026 Irish Grand National

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1. Better Days Ahead

14/115.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Top weight Better Days Ahead is unexposed in only his seventh start over fences and could improve on his sixth in the race last year from the same rating of 154. He's a Grade Two winner over the larger obstacles and has performed well in two runs this season, finishing second twice at Graded level.

Whilst he faces a tough task over a marathon trip at the weights, he could be capable of showing improvement and has previous experience in the race in his favour this time around.

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2. Search For Glory

16/117.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Luckless when unseating at the last in the Ultima at Cheltenham, Search For Glory was in the process of running an excellent race at odds of 40/141.00 on that occasion. He's rated 2lb higher here on a mark of 147 but has amassed valuable experience in big field handicaps over fences and has threatened to land a valuable prize.

Impossible to discount, he has stamina to prove over this extra trip having failed to make a significant impression in last year's renewal, but may still be developing as a stayer and a sounder surface could help his cause.

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3. Argento Boy

8/19.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Completely unexposed on handicap debut, Argento Boy has shaped with potential this term over the staying trips and this challenge should suit. He was a fortunate winner at Punchestown on New Year's Eve but proved it was no fluke by backing up at Grade Three level at Naas, staying on strongly in testing conditions over the extended three mile trip.

In only his fifth start over fences, the Willie Mullins-trained grey could be capable of any amount of improvement from a mark of 144, but he may be reliant on softer ground to be seen to best effect.

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4. Joystick

33/134.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Seven-year-old gelding Joystick beat Slade Steel to make it third time lucky over fences in his penultimate start, before achieving a seventh-placed finish in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham when last seen. Another completely unexposed contender for the Closutton yard, this grey also makes his handicap debut and could be well treated from a rating of 144 on the best of his form.

All of his wins to date have been on ground with heavy in the description, but he could be capable of a big run regardless of ground conditions and is an interesting contender.

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5. The Jukebox Kid

5/16.00 favourite to win the Irish Grand National

Bidding for a third successive win to make it four from five over fences, The Jukebox Kid holds leading claims for Ben Pauling from a mark of 144. He has been seen twice in handicap company when beating subsequent dual winner Grand Geste, now rated 24lb higher, at Carlisle on reappearance this term, before being beaten as favourite in fourth at Cheltenham over the winter.

Progressive since, he claimed Grade Two success at Ascot in his latest start and may show further improvement, still on an upward trajectory.

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6. Rushmount

40/141.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Jonathan Sweeney-trained Rushmount is rated 13lb higher for a convincing 14-length success at Thurles in his penultimate start. He couldn't make an impact when upped into Grade One company at Cheltenham, but should fare much better back in a handicap and could defy the rise in the weights in only his sixth chasing start.

Further improvement is required but he's lightly raced and unexposed in handicaps, therefore warrants consideration as he steps up further in trip.

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7. Yeah Man

33/134.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Yeah Man hasn't been seen to best effect in recent runs but he returns over fences here from a mark only 4lb higher than when second to Answer To Kayf in the Troytown earlier in the season. This is his third appearance in the Irish Grand National having been well beaten by Intense Raffles two years ago, before unseating when a 50/151.00 chance in last year's renewal.

Better ground could allow him to put in an improved effort but he'll need to show plenty of progression to make it third time lucky.

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8. C'Est Ta Chance

8/19.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Point winner C'Est Ta Chance shaped with promise on Rules debut when narrowly beaten by William Munny, before getting off the mark over hurdles last term. He won in his third start this term at Gowran Park, improving on his two previous chase efforts, and doubled up in Grade Three company at Thurles, winning in good fashion over the extended 2m5f trip.

More is required but a mark of 142 could be lenient for a horse that has shown a high level of ability in the past. He is gaining momentum as a chaser but has stamina to prove.

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9. Flicker Of Hope

20/121.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Mark Fahey-trained Flicker Of Hope makes only his fifth start over fences in this prestigious contest, having won twice already this term including over an extended three miles at Naas. He was pulled up in a Grade Three won by Argento Boy when last seen, despite being sent off at odds of 3/14.00, and will need to bounce back but may be worth forgiving one disappointing effort.

There's substance to some of his form and he's progressive as a chaser, capable of putting in a competitive performance if putting his latest run behind him.

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10. Soldier In Milan

7/18.00 to win the Irish Grand National

From a rating of 142, Soldier In Milan could be dangerous considering some of the form he has shown during his short career to date. He has made only five starts under Rules but beat now 150-rated Grade One winner King Rasko Grey, among other talented performers, convincingly in a Punchestown bumper, and was only narrowly denied by C'Est Ta Chance when attempting to make all earlier in the season.

In recent outings, the Emmet Mullins-trained contender beat Kiss Will to win at Punchestown before managing only fourth when the 11/82.38 favourite at Thurles. He could return to form over this longer distance and is one of the most intriguing runners in the field, with the scope for further improvement.

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11. Monbeg Genius

20/121.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Ten-year-old gelding Monbeg Genius is 1lb below his last winning mark on a rating of 141. He put in a creditable effort in third to Ask Brewster in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham when last seen, having finished fifth in the Welsh Grand National to another Welsh-trained rival in Haiti Couleurs earlier in the campaign.

Now 3lb below his Chepstow appearance, he holds an each-way chance with proven stamina in his favour. He had previously finished fourth in the Welsh equivalent, and has often held his own in competitive, big field staying handicaps, gaining plenty of experience which should hold him in good stead.

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12. Shecouldbeanything

33/134.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Likeable mare Shecouldbeanything is no stranger to outrunning her odds on a goind day, having placed at 33/134.00 on two separate occasions over the past year in both the Galway Plate and Thyestes. She could only manage seventh to Haiti Couleurs in last year's renewal of this contest, but was far from disgraced at huge odds, giving a decent account of herself.

A mark of 140 has proven workable in the past, putting her in with a solid each-way chance if on a going day. She has held her own in tough company, showing a good attitude, and has become a solid chaser. At the weights, she warrants a second glance and could be a dark horse in the field.

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13. Kiss Will

12/113.00 to win the Irish Grand National

In only his fifth start over fences, Willie Mullins-trained Kiss Will is one of many unexposed, intriguing contenders in this year's renewal of the Irish Grand National.

The six-year-old finished a notable second to Soldier In Milan in his penultimate start, with the leading pair pulling well clear of the rest of the field, before achieving a creditable fifth to Meetmebythesea in the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham when last seen. He's 2lb lower rated than his latest run and remains open to further progression, lightly raced but having already shaped with potential to date.

Proven over three miles as a hurdler, this is another step up in trip and he has stamina to prove, but is related to a number of stayers and could be dangerous.

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14. Velvet Elvis

100/1101.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Experienced performer Velvet Elvis has struggled for form so far this season, but did finish a notable second to subsequent Grand National winner Nick Rockett in the Thyestes last term, outrunning odds of 22/123.00 when rated 2lb higher.

On the best of his form, he could pose a threat with the benefit of experience in the race in his favour having finished sixth to Lord Lariat in the contest four years ago. He's 4lb lower rated in his second appearance in the race but is a few years older now and may be vulnerable to better handicapped improver late on.

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15. One Big Bang

20/121.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Point winner One Big Bang has made only four appearances over fences under Rules so far, including when winning at Southwell earlier in the season. He was competitive in handicaps over hurdles last term, and proved his credentials in handicap company as a chaser when last seen finishing third to Holloway Queen at Cheltenham.

Having made the frame over a similar trip from a similar mark in his latest run, the James Owen-trained grey warrants consideration as he's capable of showing further progression and has already shaped with plenty of potential as a staying chaser.

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16. Goraibhmaithagat

16/117.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Up 5lb for a second-placed effort to The Lovely Man at Naas last month, Goraibhmaithagat could still be ahead of his mark in only his seventh chasing start. He was a gutsy winner over Magic McColgan in his previous outing, running on strongly in the closing stages from a mark of 125, and was able to cope well with the 7lb rise when last seen.

Still potentially on an upward trajectory, there could be more to come from the lightly raced six-year-old gelding, and he's currently in-form and improving with each run, putting him in with solid claims.

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17. Karia Des Blaises

33/134.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Willie Mullins-trained Karia Des Blaises got off the mark over fences when last seen, recording a dominant 16-length in a Listed novice event for the mares at Thurles. She's now rated 137 on her return to handicap company, 2lb higher than when sent off at 11/112.00 at Limerick over the Christmas period when a late faller.

This will be her first try over further than an extended 2m5f, therefore is a less solid option than some more proven stayers, but has potential and could enjoy this new challenge.

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18. Better Times Ahead

16/117.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Course-and-distance winner Better Times Ahead landed the Porterstown here in November, proving his stamina credentials whilst showing grit and determination to narrowly deny Will Do. He's 14lb higher rated here, but could still be capable of showing further progression and the form of his second in the Thyestes has been boosted by winner Now Is The Hour, who has run well at Grade One level since.

With course form and proven stamina in his favour, the nine-year-old could be a solid each-way option with the only question mark being whether or not he will be quite as effective from a much higher weight.

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19. Hartur d'Arc

40/141.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Nine-year-old gelding Hartur d'Arc is winless in two years, now 8lb lower than his previous success, but has run well from a similar rating since, including when narrowly beaten by Bushmans Pass at Naas last spring in the Leinster National. He has struggled for form since then, failing to make any impression over the past year, therefore must find a resurgence in form if he is to fare better in this race.

His recent form is a concern, but if he can return to the best of his ability, he's on a workable mark from which he could be competitive.

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20. Kurasso Blue

33/134.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Kurasso Blue is bidding to make history by becoming the first five-year-old runner to win the Irish Grand National, making his fifth chasing start for Gordon Elliott. He faces a stiff task, particularly on the back of a disappointing pulled up effort when sent off at odds of 7/24.50 at Cheltenham, but has shown promise as a staying chaser with a trio of creditable efforts earlier in the season and has the scope for further improvement.

Lightly raced and inexperienced, the young novice has plenty of potential but this could be too big of a test at this stage in his career against some older, more mature and experienced rivals.

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21. The Enabler

40/141.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Seven-year-old gelding The Enabler has run with credit in defeat in his recent couple of outings, but will have to find further improvement if he is to make a significant impact on this race from a mark of 136. Formerly second in a point-to-point, he has shaped with promise as a staying chaser, notably when a comfortable 15-length winner over 2m5f at Fairyhouse earlier in the campaign.

Things didn't necessarily pan out favourably for him in his latest run at Cheltenham, racing wide throughout, therefore he may have had excuses for tiring late on and he is related to the great Denman, so could be capable of more over this longer trip.

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22. Duffle Coat

66/167.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Nine-year-old grey Duffle Coat unseated in the Aintree equivalent last season when sent off at odds of 33/134.00 before being pulled up in this contest, failing to make an impact.

A sounder surface will likely suit and he's been given a chance at the weights, now rated 9lb lower, but hasn't shown much form over the past year and will need to show that the spark remains. He was in the process of running a big race before being brought down in the National Hunt Chase last year, therefore has shown promise over a marathon trip and could be in the mix if able to return to the best of his ability.

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23. O'Toole

25/126.00 to win the Irish Grand National

O'Toole prepared well for this contest with a neck win over Invictus Machin at Leopardstown when last seen, upped 6lb for the victory. He faces a tougher task at the weights this time around but is in good form, having run well in first-time cheekpieces along with a tongue-tie on that occasion, and could take another step forward in only his sixth chase start. 

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24. Sa Majeste

33/134.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Eight-year-old gelding Sa Majeste is 7lb lower than when third in the Kim Muir at last year's Cheltenham Festival, but has struggled for form since then and was pulled up before the second last in this race twelve months ago. He finished a decent third in the Leinster National when last seen, but was beaten 20-lengths by the eventual winner The Lovely Man and will need to improve plenty to fare better here.

Rated 4lb lower than when previously lining up in the race, the Willie Mullins-trained contender is better treated at the weights but is more exposed coming into the race and has plenty to find on recent form.

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25. Showurappreciation

16/117.00 to win the Irish Grand National

On a four-timer, Showurappreciation has been in great form in recent months, rising up the weights to a rating of 135. He's now 19lb higher than when beginning his winning sequence at Punchestown in January, having previously finished a creditable third to The Lovely Man, who has significantly franked the form, at Navan.

Still unexposed and improving, the ceiling of his ability is unknown and he could be ahead of his current mark. He has shaped as strong stayer over three miles and is an interesting runner up in trip.

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26. Western Walk

50/151.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Course winner Western Walk is completely unexposed in handicaps over fences, making only his fifth start over the larger obstacles here. His run at Thurles over hurdles when last seen was too bad to be true, when tailed off as the 5/42.25 favourite, but he had shaped with great potential behind the likes of Kurasso Blue, Final Demand and Oscars Brother previously this term, gaining valuable experience.

A mark of 135 could prove workable if able to transfer the best of his hurdling form to chasing, but he hasn't fired in the last couple of years and is winless since April 2023 which is a slight concern for win purposes.

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27. Weveallbeencaught

40/141.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Weveallbeencaught came close to landing a big pot in the Munster National earlier this term in only his second start for Eric McNamara. He finished second to French Dynamite from a mark of 132 that day, only 3lb higher here after a couple of less competitive efforts at Leopardstown and Cheltenham respectively.

A stiff test of stamina should suit the nine-year-old, who shaped with promise in his younger days. He's the type that will likely be sticking to the task late on, but will need to improve on his latest couple of efforts and return to his earlier form at Limerick.

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28. Born Braver

33/134.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Born Braver won the Ulster National recently, staying on well in good style to beat Uncle Pat by five-lengths over the extended 3m4f trip. Should this race not prove too quick of a turnaround, he'll hold leading claims with proven stamina in his favour and on the back of a hugely impressive performance at Downpatrick.

Another unexposed performer in the field, who makes only his eighth start over fence under Rules, the dual point winner should be suited by this test based on his latest outing and could show further improvement.

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29. Shanbally Kid

33/134.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Shanbally Kid was an impressive 15-length winner over a trip just shy of four miles at Punchestown last May when rated 12lb lower. He hasn't quite fired since, but did finish a distant fourth to The Lovely Man in the Leinster National and could be able to make the frame with proven stamina in his favour.

The step back up to a marathon trip could spark improvement, as it did last season, but he must prove himself from a higher mark, facing a tougher task than in his sole win over fences to date.

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30. Waterford Whispers

33/134.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Waterford Whispers could be an interesting contender for Henry de Bromhead from a low weight, on a mark of 134. He has performed with credit in both of his latest two runs, including when a close third in a competitive 23-runner handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival, and is only 4lb higher here.

On the pick of his form, he could be well treated from his current rating if staying this extra distance, but does have stamina to prove over this trip.

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R31. The Lovely Man

25/126.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Sixth in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown, The Lovely Man improved from a 2lb higher mark to win at Naas over 3m1f. He must defy another 7lb rise here, but has shaped as a promising, progressive staying chaser this term having recorded a win at Navan earlier in the season, too, as well as a hurdling success at Gowran Park.

There could be more to come from him, and he displayed a tenacious attitude to get up in the Leinster National when last seen, a quality which should hold him in good stead in a race of this nature.

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R32. Folly Master

25/126.00 to win the Irish Grand National

Tom Dreaper-trained Folly Master is two from six over fences and, although 12lb higher than his latest win over fences at Punchestown, is only 3lb above his narrow defeat to Battle It Out on this card twelve months ago. He has been quietly campaigned over fences since then, but made a pleasing return over the larger obstacles with a fourth-placed effort to Jigoro when last seen and could take a step forward from that run over the minimum distance.

One to note, the eight-year-old could put in a bold bid if coping with the step up in trip, on a workable mark.

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R33. Uhavemeinstitches

12/113.00 to win the Irish Grand National

A Grade Three winner at Limerick when last seen, beating You Oughta Know by half-a-length, Uhavemeinstitches is unexposed in handicaps over fences but could be well treated from a rating of 132. This is only her seventh start over fences and she has already shaped with potential at Graded level, including when third to The Big Westerner in Grade Two company at Limerick earlier in the season.

She unseated when sent off at odds of 11/26.50 in the Leinster National, before winning in her subsequent start, preparing well for this challenge. This is a much more competitive test and she must prove herself in a race of this nature, but is unexposed and capable of showing further improvement.

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Katie Midwinter's Irish Grand National Prediction

1. Soldier In Milan

2. Waterford Whispers

3. Search For Glory

4. Monbeg Genius

5. Kiss Will

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