'Plenty more to offer' - Irish National Tips The Irish Grand National takes centre stage on Monday, 6th April at Fairyhouse. Last year, the race was won by Rebecca Curtis-trained Haiti Couleurs, ridden by Sean Bowen. JP McManus looks to hold a strong hand this year, with The Wallpark, currently heading the market, set to run alongside Oscars Brother and Uhavemeinstitches. Irish National Odds (Paddy Power) Oscars Brother 10/1 Johnnywho 10/1 Better Days Ahead 14/1 The Jukebox Kid 14/1 Better Times Ahead 14/1 Search For Glory 14/1 Soldier In Milan 14/1 Kim Roque 16/1 Stumptown 16/1 Goraibhmaithagat 16/1 Now Is The Hour 16/1 Lookaway 16/1 Uhavemeinstitches 16/1 Kiss Will 16/1 Quai De Bourbon 16/1 One Big Bang 16/1 Rest of the field 20/1 or longer Selection: Blaze The Way Blaze The Way looks to have the credentials to run a big race in the Irish Grand National. With only seven starts over fences, the eight-year-old looks to have plenty more to offer over longer trips. He had three runs over shorter trips, where he was only beaten just over six lengths in a Grade 3 novice chase at Punchestown, while he took a big step forward when upped in trip at Cheltenham in December, tackling over 3m2f for the first time. He stayed on nicely to win comfortably in a competitive Grade 3 novice handicap chase, which was by far his best performance over fences, showing he clearly relished the longer distance. Disappointed slightly at Naas in January on ground that was too soft for him, so that effort can be discounted. He comes here on the back of a good seventh in the competitive Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, where he raced wide throughout and didn’t have the best of a run. This marathon trip looks ideal for him and plays to his strengths, despite being out at 33/1 in the current market. Hopefully Danny Mullins will be on board and it would be no surprise to see him involved at the finish. Next Best: Kim Roque A chance is worth taking on Joseph O’Brien’s six-year-old Kim Roque, who is still lightly raced over fences, having only made seven starts, three of them in France. He was second on his final start over fences in France, over 2m6f on soft ground in a Listed race. He made his UK debut at Cheltenham back in November, finishing second. He travelled well throughout but made a few jumping mistakes that ultimately cost him. He then put up another solid effort when fourth in the December Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, showing he can mix it with more experienced handicappers. Kim Roque was a good fifth, only beaten just over five lengths in a competitive handicap chase. He led jumping the last, made a mistake and was put on the back foot, so it was no surprise to see him step up in trip in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, where he finished fourth. He was left a lot to do that day, with few of the runners making ground from the back. He made good headway late on but was never close enough to challenge. He is well worth another go over this longer distance and looks better than his current mark.
