Irish Grand National 2026 tips: Three horses we like for the Fairyhouse race

We have picked out two well-fancied horses we like, as well as an outsider that could go close at a big price

The BoyleSports Irish Grand National is the richest race in the Irish jump racing calendar and has a roll of honour that includes Desert Orchid, Bobbyjo and a number of subsequent Aintree Grand National winners.

Picking the winner is not always easy, though. In 2021 and 2022, Dermot McLoughlin trained 150/1 and 40/1 winners of the race, much to the delight of bookmakers.

The last two winners have gone off at 13/2, though, so choosing the best betting strategy is difficult.

With this in mind, we have picked out two well-fancied horses for the race, as well as an outsider that could go close at a big price.

Solider In Milan 8/1

It would have been hard to imagine that Solider In Milan, less than a year after winning a bumper at Punchestown, would be lining up in the Irish Grand National.

This Emmet Mullins-trained horse was well backed to beat none other than King Rasko Grey, winner of the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, in the aforementioned bumper, before connections took the bold step of going straight over fences.

He has been brought along steadily this season, and the feeling is that this race was the plan all along. The seven-year-old’s lack of experience is a concern, but he certainly has the class to be involved.

Goraibhmaithagat 14/1

Colm Murphy has been in the game for a long time and has trained some brilliant horses, not least the likes of Brave Inca and Big Zeb.

But after many quiet years, he has quality stock in his yard again, and many of them are running this weekend.

Zanoosh looks to hold very strong claims in the Honeysuckle Mares’ Novice Hurdle, and Goraibhmaithagat could win the big one.

Goraibhmaithagat showed plenty of ability over hurdles but was not highly tried, and has been brought along steadily over fences ever since.

Always looking like a step up in trip would suit, the money came for the JP McManus horse in the Leinster National last time, only for the gelding to be caught on the line.

You get the sense, though, that this horse is improving with every run over fences and could still be well ahead of his mark.

Weveallbeencaught 40/1

There have been plenty of surprise winners of this race in recent years, and Weveallbeencaught might be the next.

Compared to some of the unexposed novices in this line-up, Weveallbeencaught has shown his hand many times to the handicapper, but he looks an ideal type for this sort of marathon challenge.

Formerly trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, this nine-year-old gelding has been reinvigorated by a switch to Eric McNamara’s Limerick yard this season.

After finishing second in the Munster National in October, he was disappointing at Leopardstown over Christmas but showed plenty of spirit when running a gallant race to finish seventh in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

The Irish handicapper has given him a chance, and while many might crumble under the demands of this race, Weveallbeencaught looks tailor-made for the challenge.

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