TEMPLEGATE tackles the star-studded Irish Grand National confident of picking not just the winner – but the first four home!
Our man delivers his tip and 1-2-3-4 prediction at the bottom of his brilliant runner-by-runner guide.
PAWillie Mullins is aiming to land the Irish Grand National after already claiming the Aintree and Scottish races in recent weeks[/caption]
Here, he goes through every runner and rates them out of five stars, with one the worst and five the best.
The big race from Fairyhouse is live on ITV4 at 5pm – back any horse you fancy by clicking their odds below.
Templegate’s Irish Grand National runner-by-runner guide
1 BETTER DAYS AHEAD 3
Class act, good amateur takes off a handy 7lb, handles ground, will stay.
2 QUAI DE BOURBON 4
Unexposed over fences, moving well when brought down at Aintree, claims.
3 JOHNNYWHO 2
Travelled best but outstayed in Kim Muir at Cheltenham, doubtful stayer.
4 BIOLUMINESCENCE 4
Smashing mare, loves a slog in the mud, conditions are perfect, strong fancy.
5 HARRY DES ONGRAIS 2
Progressive, must prove stamina but shrewd trainer thinks he will stay all day.
6 DUFFLE COAT 3
Useful stayer, unlucky last twice, no stamina doubts, can hit the frame.
7 FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU 2
Fell when beaten in this last year, goes well in the mud, check betting.
8 SEARCH FOR GLORY 3
Looks Elliott’s No1, not had ideal conditions in hcaps, will stay, respected.
9 SEQUESTERED 1
Best form is on better ground, conditions against him, others appeal more.
10 DESERTMORE HOUSE 1
Kerry National winner in 2023, lost his way since, ground against him today.
11 MALINA GIRL 3
Tough mare, finished well for third in Ultima at Cheltenham, hard to rule out.
12 PANDA BOY 2
Fifth in 2023, lightly raced this season and will surely find conditions too tough.
13 YEAH MAN 3
Struggled in this last year, but comes here fresher this time, live outsider.
14 HAITI COULEURS 4
Leading contender, brilliant jumper and no stamina doubts, big chance.
15 NOW IS THE HOUR 5
Mud lover, in with a chance when falling behind Haiti at Chelt, one to beat.
16 SHECOULDBEANYTHING 2
Tough mare, has the form to be a factor but just not sure if she will stay.
17 SA MAJESTE 3
Not the quickest, but sound effort when third in Kim Muir at Chelt, each-way.
18 ANY SECOND NOW 3
Yard legend, second in this last year, give his best but vulnerable to younger legs.
19 LORD LARIAT 1
Won this in 2022, long time between drinks since and this is a tough task.
20 STUZZIKINI 2
Moody stayer, but rider did well in Troytown on him, e-w hope at best.
21 TULLYBEG non-runner
22 DAILY PRESENT 3
Won Kim Muir at Chelt, pulled up in this last year but better is expected.
23 MINT BOY 3
Unexposed over fences, but hcapper has not missed him, more needed.
24 DUNBOYNE 3
Revelation for new yard, winning Ulster National last time, bit more to find.
25 FINAL ORDERS 2
Proved his stamina when just held in Ulster National latest, this is tougher.
26 KINTURK KALANISI 4
Still moving well when unseating in Leinster National, capable of better.
27 BUSHMANS PASS 3
Battled well to win Leinster National, handles soft but heavy is a concern.
28 MOONOVERCLOON 2
No stamina doubts, but will find conditions too demanding, rank outsider.
29 HASTHING non-runner
30 NOBLE BIRTH 3
Jumped well when winning here in Jan, well treated off lovely racing weight.
31 ANOTHER CHOICE 2
Big effort in the Porterstown here in Dec, not seen since, check betting.
32 WILL DO 3
Yet to win over fences but some big efforts in defeat, can hit the frame.
Templegate’s Irish Grand National tip and 1-2-3-4 prediction
Trainer Gavin Cromwell is mob-handed with seven runners as he bids to win the Fairyhouse feature for the first time and his NOW IS THE HOUR can put the cherry on top of a memorable season for the Meath trainer.
The tip is a dour stayer and loves heavy ground.
He was running a big race at Cheltenham before getting the second-last fence wrong and falling in the National Hunt Chase.
The ground that day was good to soft but this lad wants it muddier so the fact he was involved at the business end suggests he has plenty in hand of his mark.
He looks the ideal horse for this race and his rider Conor Stone-Walsh is superb value for his 3lb claim. It was a tough choice between him and stablemate Bioluminescence who also has excellent credentials. The handicapper has not missed her but she’s very solid.
She loves the mud, has a high cruising speed and is set to thrive over marathon trips.
Kinturk Kalanisi and Festival hero Haiti Couleurs can fill the third and fourth spots.
1st Now Is The Hour
2nd Bioluminescence
3rd Kinturk Kalanisis
4th Haiti Couleurs
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