Fairyhouse 24 2 24 I Am Maximus and Jody McGarvey win the Bobbyjo Steeplechase Grade 3 © Photo Healy Racing
BoyleSports ambassador and Irish Grand National winning jockey Robbie Power gives his thoughts on Monday’s Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse and reveals four against the field plus his idea of the winner.
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Look out for novices in the Irish Grand National
They need to be a very good horse for a start, and one that can jump really well and that can travel really well, they need a high cruising speed and need to have the stamina to stay for three-and-a-half miles as well.
Novices have a good record, they creep in under the handicappers radar a little bit and this year’s race will be no exception.
Jumping is key. You start off in the corner, it’s two full circuits of the track. You have three fences on the run up to Ballyhack and then when you get to Ballyhack, you have three more fences in a straight line then three more to bring you back towards the straight, and then another three in the straight so every time you turn a corner, there are three fences in front of you.
You need a horse that jumps really well to be successful around Fairyhouse.
This has been the plan for him all season
I think Willie’s horse (Nick Rockett) is the right favourite. He is a novice, only had three runs over fences and has beaten Tactical Move, was second to American Mike and also beat Cheltenham Festival winner Corbett’s Cross over course and distance at Fairyhouse.
I would think Willie has had this race in the back of his mind for him for a long time. Henry de Bromhead has an interesting runner in the race in Senior Chief, he’s only run three times over fences but has finished third to Gaelic Warrior who won at Cheltenham and a second to Minella Cocooner, so he has some chances and strong form.
Navan 20 March 2023 Senior Chief and Rachael Blackmore left beats Landrake Michael O Sullivan for trainer Henry de Bromhead and owners Lucky In Life S© Photo Healy Racing
They would be the two against the field I’ll be keeping on side. Intense Raffles, he has won twice around Fairyhouse.
There’s three runners I would take against the field and that are of interest but my preference? I will stick with my own team with Senior Chief. This race will bring out the best in him, this has been the plan for him all season.
It is a big field and you need plenty of luck.
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