Road to Cheltenham picks out three standout selections for the Irish Grand National.
Irish Grand National
A total of 45 horses stood their ground at the confirmation stage for the 2026 Irish Grand National, with declarations due at 10am on Saturday morning.
The predicted ground conditions are looking perfect at this moment in time, with only a few millimetres of rain expected over the coming days – though the forecast is unsettled on Sunday evening.
It’s unlikely to have a major impact on the going though, and hopefully that will mean we get a competitive renewal. Here, I look at some of the leading contenders in the betting ahead of Fairyhouse’s big race – with a couple of fancies in the Easter Monday feature.
Irish Grand National Runners Guide
The Judebox Kid
British trainers have enjoyed reasonable levels of success in the Irish Grand National in modern times, with two of the last 11 winners heading across the water to compete at Fairyhouse – and THE JUKEBOX KID (7/1) has a favourite’s chance of glory this year.
He is 3-3 on right-handed tracks over fences, and his form is stacking up, with the likes of Montregard and Kap Vert franking his Ascot success while Grand Geste and First Confession, both behind Ben Pauling’s horse at Carlisle in November, have gone on to enjoy success this season.
He has a BHA rating of 142, and the Irish handicapper has taken a stern enough view on him, giving him a 2lbs hike, so he’ll run off 144 here. However, he has been trained for the race and comes here fresh, so he must be taken very seriously indeed.
Aregento Boy
ARGENTO BOY (9/1) ran a big race in the Brown Advisory Novices Chase at Cheltenham last month, and he might be the chief representative for the all-conquering Willie Mullins yard, with Paul Townend expected to take the ride.
Touted by some as a bit of a mudlark, this Jukebox Jury gelding finished 22 lengths adrift at the Festival, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. I thought he ran a cracking trial for a race like this, and he could be bang there at the finish, with a bit of luck in-running.
Back to the ground – he ran a nice race in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival last April, and I don’t necessarily agree that he needs it deep. He probably goes on softer ground better than others, but he’s versatile enough.
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Soldier In Milan
My main antepost selection for the 2026 Irish Grand National is SOLDIER IN MILAN (9/1), and I’m expecting Emmet Mullins to have him primed for Monday’s race. He’s had an interesting campaign to say the least, and he is unexposed over a trip.
The form of his bumper success at the 2025 Punchestown Festival is very strong indeed, with several winners in-behind. Connections took the brave decision to go straight over fences, and I believe his entire season has been geared towards Fairyhouse.
He is an impressive physical specimen, with the size and scope to be a huge hit in the staying chase division. He ticks plenty of boxes for me, and any cut in the ground will be a help to him, so the forecast rainfall on Sunday night will be beneficial if it arrives.
C'est Ta Chance
Next in the betting is C’EST TA CHANCE (10/1), and he’s already finished in front of the aforementioned Soldier In Milan on two occasions this season. The pair will compete off level weights once again, and Willie Mullins’ runner will have his supporters.
J J Slevin, retained rider for Simon Munir & Isaac Souede, is suspended for this year’s meeting, and I’d hazard a guess that Danny Mullins may get the leg up. Mullins was on board for his victory at Gowran Park in January, so he clearly gets on well with the horse.
The trip is an unknown for him, and he’s not exactly bred for a trip; he is by flat stallion Elm Park and out of a Grand Lodge mare. However, he’s already defied the odds with his success over jumps, so perhaps he’s just an anomaly. And a talented one at that.
Uhavemeinstitches
UHAVEMEINSTITCHES (16/1) is an intriguing runner if she lines up here, given her dad won the 2010 edition of the race. James Motherway trained Bluesea Cracker and it’d be a real emotional story if her daughter can follow in her hoofsteps some 16 years later.
Her victory over You Oughta Know at Limerick in March went under the radar somewhat, probably because of the proximity to Cheltenham, but that could work to the advantage of connections. However, she’d almost certainly prefer a softer surface – with her best figures coming when there is cut in the ground.
I was sweet on her for the Kim Muir at the Festival, but connections opted to keep her at home after the BHA handicapper’s assessment. She’ll need five to come out to get a run, but she’d surely have a chance if lining up for the green and gold of JP McManus.
Kiss Will
Willie Mullins could send KISS WILL (16/1) to Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, and he’d be an intriguing runner if lining up. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him up in trip since his Listed victory at Perth last April, and he ticks plenty of boxes for me.
He ran a lovely race in the Jack Richards at the Festival, finishing 15 lengths behind the well-handicapped Meetmebythesea. That was over 2m4f, and that was never going to be his bag on good ground – he’s been crying out for a trip all year long.
In terms of jockey bookings, I’m not entirely sure who will be riding him, but he’s one that I will be keeping a very close eye on. The H O S Syndicate have enjoyed big race success in both codes over the last year or so, and they aren’t finished yet.
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Better Days Ahead
I’ll give a mention to BETTER DAYS AHEAD (20/1), with trainer Gordon Elliott stating that this has been his target all year. He’ll have to be a proper Grade 1 horse to win an Irish National off 154, but he is still lightly raced for his age, and he’s an intriguing runner.
Connections decided to utilise Rob James’ 7lbs claim in last year’s race, but it didn’t pay off, and I’m expecting Jack Kennedy to be in the saddle this time around. They’ve always said that this horse would prefer softer ground, though, which is a huge concern.
Depending on how much rain falls overnight on Sunday, he could be a market mover on the day, and he’s one to consider. If Elliott wants to win the Irish Trainers' championship, he will almost certainly need to win the Irish National, and Better Days Ahead is his best chance.
Irish Grand National 2026 Betting Tips: Ante Post Selections
- Soldier In Milan – 1pt WIN (9/1)
- Uhavemeinstitches – 0.5pts E/W (16/1) (NON RUNNER)
- Kiss Will – 0.5pts E/W (16/1)
Who is the Favourite to Win the Irish Grand National 2026?
It’s shaping up to be a wide-open betting race, with no clear standout. The current Ante‑Post favourite for the 2026 Irish Grand National is The Jukebox Kid, with an implied win probability of 12.5% according to latest odds. But he’s closely followed by the likes of Argento Boy and Soldier In Milan, both priced around 9/1, while Cest Ta Chance is also well in the mix. With several strong contenders in contention, it promises to be a competitive and closely fought renewal.
| Irish Grand National Winner | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Soldier In Milan | 7/1 | Betfred |
| Kiss Will | 15/2 | William Hill |
| The Jukebox Kid | 17/2 | Unibet |
| Showurappreciation | 9/1 | Ladbrokes |
| Goraibhmaithagat | 11/1 | William Hill |
Odds last updated at 9:30AM Monday, 26th April. View the full odds market at Irish Grand National Betting Odds page at Oddschecker.
Recent Oddschecker data shows that 15% of bets placed over the past week have been on The Jukebox Kid to win the Irish Grand National, making him the most backed runner so far. Close behind is Cest Ta Chance, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding, who has attracted 14% of total bets and remains a strong contender in the market.
Further down, Argento Boy and Better Days Ahead have also seen notable support, with 7% and 6% of bets respectively. Rounding out the top five is Holloway Queen, who has picked up 5% of wagers over the last seven days.
