Entries for this year's BoyleSports Irish Grand National, set to take place at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, April 1, have been disclosed, revealing a formidable squad of 14 potential contenders under the charge of Willie Mullins. Among them are Monkfish and Stattler, previous victors at Cheltenham, alongside Embassy Gardens, a prominent contender for the forthcoming Festival.
A total of 64 horses have been enlisted for what is deemed Ireland's most lucrative steeplechase event, with the weights for the prestigious €500,000 handicap chase scheduled for announcement on Tuesday, March 19. Mullins, who clinched his second triumph in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National through I Am Maximus last year, boasts a strong lineup featuring Glengouly, James Du Berlais, Minella Cocooner, Mr Incredible, and We'llhavewan, with Gordon Elliott also presenting a substantial number of entries.
Elliott's 19 contenders include Gevrey, last year's runner-up, Ash Tree Meadow, the Galway Plate victor, and other formidable names like Favori De Champdou, Minella Crooner, Salvador Ziggy, Three Card Brag, and Where It All Began. Intense Raffles, riding high on two impressive victories at Fairyhouse, has been included by Tom Gibney, the trainer who tasted success with Lion Na Bearnai in the 2012 edition of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.
Velvet Elvis, a dual Fairyhouse winner, is part of the six-horse team assembled by trainer Gavin Cromwell, which also features Inothewayurthinkin, Hartur D'arc, and Limerick Lace, recent victors in their own right. Angels Dawn, who finished sixth last year following a Cheltenham Festival triumph under Sam Curling, could make another appearance in the race. Additionally, entries like Amirite from the Henry de Bromhead stable, Senior Chief, and Eklat De Rire have added further intrigue to the mix.
The impending announcement of the weights on Tuesday, March 19, at 11 am, will allow for adjustments based on the performances at next week's Cheltenham festival. This year's renewal promises to be a thrilling event, with the anticipation building as the big day approaches. Peter Roe, the General Manager of Fairyhouse Racecourse, expressed his satisfaction with the quality and diversity of entries, highlighting the presence of local favourites Where's Frankie and Intense Raffles among the 64 contenders.
Sharon McHugh, the Head of Communications and Sponsorship at BoyleSports, emphasised the excitement surrounding the tenth year of their sponsorship for the esteemed race, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the event despite the array of submissions from top trainers.