Brexit issues could mean that many star names are absent from Aintree in April
Bookmakers Paddy Power have slashed odds in half of no Irish trained horses to run at the Grand National, following increasing difficulties with Brexit.
It was 33/1 this morning that no Irish horses will run in the 2019 Grand National, but that price has halved to just 16/1.
Last year, 15 of the 40 runners were trained on the emerald isle, including the winner Tiger Roll, hailing from Gordon Elliott’s yard.
On average, 27% of runners in the last five years have been Irish trained, with 15 the biggest number of Irish trained horses in the field this decade.
Irish horses are also dominating the betting this year currently, with two of the top five horse being Irish trained: the aforementioned Tiger Roll (25/1 best price) and Willie Mullins’ Bellshill (25/1 best price).
The British Horseracing Authority told the press recently: “We are watching the political discussions around Brexit very closely and talk frequently to government.
“We are planning for a range of outcomes, and a successful running of the event in April.”
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “There doesn't seem to be an industry that won't be affected by the Brexit terms that are eventually agreed, and this is one of the many way in which sport as we know it could change.
“The Grand National is one of the sporting calendar's highlights and would not be the same without Irish involvement. Thankfully the odds suggest that this outcome is still fairly unlikely, for the time being at least...”
