In Ireland’s most affluent jump race, the Boylesports Irish Grand National, the smallest pool of competitors in over two decades will take the field at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. The 21-runner lineup for the monumental €500,000 prize money seems almost laughable likely assembled for a mere fraction of it, given the historical connection of the Irish National race with Easter.
In 1988, attempts to adjust the traditional Easter Monday schedule of the National only highlighted the significance of the association, resulting in a prompt reversal. Forty years ago, Arkle secured his reputation as the greatest, and famous names such as Flyingbolt in 1966 and Desert Orchid in 1990 are both part of the evocative National heritage associated with Easter.
The double impact of an early Easter, placed just more than two weeks post-Cheltenham and less than a fortnight before Aintree, has presented a challenge this year. With current ground conditions being difficult, a swift turnover of participants is not feasible, leading to a limited availability of suitable horses being scattered across numerous Spring festival options.
While reigning champion I Am Maximus is amongst the Irish horses anticipating Liverpool, there will be no cross-channel contenders at Fairyhouse yet again. Despite the persuasion for a larger Irish presence at Fairyhouse considering the expected Irish-dominated lineup at the Aintree National, a top weight rated at 148 and a bottom weight rated at 120 in a race designed for a maximum 30 runners suggest opportunity might have been overlooked.
Currently, the National lineup is numerically strengthened by a seven-horse squadron led by Gordon Elliott while a group of three from Willie Mullins includes the popular favourite, Nick Rockett. Initially, his 146-rating appeared favourable, however, he now stares down at a demanding 11.10 racing weight over almost 3¾ miles on a soft track. Willie Mullins’ superior performance this season has become routine, and a third victory in six years in this scenario may not yield the same excitement, given the shocking win by the 150-1 outsider, Freewheelin Dylan, in 2021.
Yet, a potentially disquieting conclusion from an official angle may come to light, as Good Time Jonny, a horse owned by local and contentious trainer Tony Martin, emerges as a contender.
The previous week saw an appeals panel from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board slapping a three-month ban on him, in response to Martin’s trainee, Firstman, failing a drug test at Dundalk last year. The group believed the initial penalty was too lenient. Now, the six-month suspension, initially held off for two years, will commence on the 15th of May, lasting three months.
Firstman became the third horse trained by Martin in the past four years to fail a doping test. Amid a longstanding drug scandal plaguing Irish racing, Good Time Jonny’s potential appearance in the limelight on Monday at 5.15pm will undoubtedly cause authorities to squirm. Martin conceded that challenging ground conditions might hamper Good Time Jonny’s performance, but his track record, which includes winning the Pertemps
at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, should not be overlooked.
Horse racing enthusiasts will be keen on another low-weight contender, Where’s Frankie, a horse that has come out on top four times at Fairyhouse and is coached by Skerries-based Karl Thornton. Bringing representation for Tom Gibney, who achieved victory with Lion Na Bearnai in 2012, is Intense Raffles. Its victory would be well-received from the crowd at Fairyhouse, anticipated to be over 16,000 in size.
Jack Kennedy has chosen Where It All Began from the Elliott team, a decision that seems rational given the latter’s National Trial triumph at Punchestown in February and strong performance at Cheltenham. Where It All Began managed to outperform the much-anticipated We’llhavewan at Punchestown. Currently, Willie Mullins’s second choice, the latter gains a slight weight advantage on his old rival and Kieran Callaghan’s 5lb claim.
We’llhavewan could prove its worth in the race, as can Maxxum, in an earlier Grade Two hurdle. Paul Townend’s opting for Saint Sam over Appreciate It in another Grade Two race is likely to resonate with betters. Zarak The Brave will be tackling a 2½ mile trip for the very first time.