Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I’m previewing Easter Monday’s Irish Grand National.

It’s the final day of Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival with the highlight being the BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase (5:00). ITV Racing are covering that race live this afternoon. Plus, four from Kempton’s all-weather fixture and one from Plumpton on a six race Easter Monday programme. It’s notable landmark for Plumpton as it’s the first time the Sussex racecourse has been covered on ITV Racing.

Fairyhouse

5:00 – BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase (Extended Handicap Chase) (Grade 3) – 3m 5f

Hopefully the track doesn’t receive more rain than expected because it wouldn’t need much more of the wet stuff to cause waterlogging.

Twenty-one runners have been declared for one of the highlights of the Irish jump season. I had ten on my race shortlist, so the race is as competitive as ever despite favourite Nick Rockett being as short a 4/1.

Nick Rockett, Hartur D'arc, Intense Raffles, Senior Chief, Yeah Man, Where It All Began, Favori De Champdou, Where's Frankie, We'llhavewan.

Nick Rockett

Unbeaten on both hurdle starts the 7-year-old has taken well to fences this season winning a beginners chase here in January and runner-up in a Grade 2 at Naas 50 days ago.  He has a big weight but capable of better and could relish the step up to 3m 5f.  Might be well treated on handicap debut.

Hartur D'arc

Has won both starts since joining Gavin Cromwell and produced a career best last time when winning the Leinster National at Naas 22 days ago. Up 9lb but he’s staying handicap chaser going the right way and has strong claims.

Yeah Man

A stablemate of Hartur D'arc, has been running well this season and responded well to the fitting of the first time cheekpieces when winning Haydock’s Grand National Trial 44 days ago. Stayed the 3m 4 ½ f trip well at Haydock and even off a 7lb higher mark must be taken seriously.

Intense Raffles

Represents a trainer who won this 2012.  The 6-year-old made it 2 from 2 over fences, since coming over from France, when making all to gain a second course win here (3m 1f) 37 days ago. His jumping has been good for a novice and if he stays 3m 5f looks sure to be bang there off what looks a good mark.

Senior Chief

Got off the mark on the third attempt over fences when winning a Punchestown beginners chase last time. He needed every inch of the 2m 7f distance that time and he looks a thorough stayer. He’ll need to improve again to win off a mark of 141 but probably capable of doing so.

Where It All Began

Seemed to relish the step up to 3m 3f when winning the Grand National Trial at Punchestown two starts back. He's since finished fourth in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival last time. Provided this race doesn’t come to quick he’s weighted to go close and is seemingly the pick of Jack Kennedy

Favori De Champdou

A stablemate of Where It All Began, looked like a useful staying novice chaser in the making when the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase (3m) at Punchestown in November. Has run poorly on last two starts but a return to going right-handed looks a plus as does a marathon trip like this.  Danny Gilligan takes off a handy 5lb and I can see him out running big odds.

Where's Frankie

Is a course specialist (four wins) but proved he could run well away from this venue when winning a 3m 4 ½ f handicap chase at Leopardstown 29 days ago.  That was an improved effort from the 8-year-old. Up 8lb in a better race but not totally dismissed from his light weight.

We'llhavewan

Won a staying handicap hurdle at Navan in December and was all the rage in the betting (5/4 favourite) for the Grand National Trial at Punchestown last time. Went through the race like a well-handicapped horse and looked like he would win coming clear after the second last, but he got tired and finished a well beaten runner-up to Where It All Began. Stamina must be a worry on testing ground, but he’s got a light weight and Kieran Callaghan takes off 5lb.

Churchstonewarrior

Did well over fences as a novice last season winning a Group 2 at Navan, (Mahler Mission, runner-up) last February. He’s failed to complete on both starts this season but a big field staying handicap like this could suit the 9-year-old who’s an interesting outsider.

Irish Grand National Verdict:

Nick Rockett, priced at 4/1 on handicap chase debut, appears well-treated and is hard to ignore. However, I can let him beat me at those odds. Gavin Cromwell fields strong contenders in Hartur D'arc and Yeah Man, with Yeah Man edging as my preference. Intense Raffles, boasting two course wins, may excel on handicap debut. Stablemates Where It All Began and Favori De Champdou are formidable, with the latter interesting going back right-handed tracks. Senior Chief shows potential for improvement over 3m 5f. Lightweight contenders We'llhavewan, stamina concerns but on a winnable mark, and course specialist Where's Frankie, have chances.

Monday Selection:

Today’s selection is from Fairyhouse but it's not from the big race.

Fairyhouse

5:40 – Better Times Ahead won a valuable novice handicap chase at Navan (2m 7 ½ f) last March. He made a belated seasonal reappearance at Gowran Park (2m 4f) 44 days ago shaping like the run was needed. Should be capable of better over fences, back over three miles, and could be the value pick here ahead of likely short priced favourite Macdermott.

In Tuesday’s column I will be looking back at the highlights of the Easter Weekend’s racing.  

Good luck with your Easter Monday bets.

John