‘The further he goes, the better he'll be’ - Key horses to note for the Irish Grand National The Irish Grand National is looming large with the Easter Monday showpiece at Fairyhouse now just a week away. The race is taking shape, with lots of Irish hopes set to be joined by some rock-solid contenders from Britain aiming to export the lion's share of the €500,000 pot for the second year in a row after Haiti Couleurs scored for Rebecca Curtis in 2025. We've picked out some possible horses to note for the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Monday, April 6. Search For Glory The aptly-named Search For Glory could be a key contender for Gordon Elliott in a race the Cullentra handler suspects he might need to have the first two home in if he is to hold onto his lead in the trainers' championship over Willie Mullins. Gigginstown-owned nine-year-old Search For Glory is rated 147 and has run some big races this season, including when second in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas. He was still going well when unseating his rider in the Ultima at Cheltenham and his trainer believes decent ground is key for him. Better Days Ahead Elliott's team should also include Better Days Ahead in the Bective Stud silks. He finished sixth in this contest 12 months ago as Haiti Couleurs won. He raced off 154 that afternoon and it came after a string of good efforts in top novice company through the season. He's had a quieter time this campaign with just one run over fences, when second in the Webster Cup at Navan over an inadequate trip in a tactically run race and his trainer suggests this 'has been the plan all year for Better Days Ahead'. The Jukebox Kid The UK challenge will include Ben Pauling's dual Ascot winner The Jukebox Kid, fresh from a fine round of jumping when he won the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase last time out. He's now 3-4 over fences and progressing and connections soon pinpointed this as a major spring target after his last win. The Irish handicapper has put him up 2lb to 144 and senior assessor Shay Quinn suggested recently that: "He's probably the first English horse to go into the Irish National off a higher mark than his one at home. That's probably a tip in itself." Argento Boy Willie Mullins has a mere two Irish National wins on his CV, but they have both come since 2019. The Closutton powerhouse has 14 contenders amongst the final entry list and Argento Boy is one of those for Audrey and Greg Turley in the famous Galopin Des Champs silks. He won his first two completed starts over fences, including a Grade 3 novice at Naas over the extended three-mile trip in January and shaped with some promise in a Grade 1 novice company at the Cheltenham Festival since. Soldier In Milan The Emmet Mullins-trained Soldier In Milan bagged a beginners' chase at Punchestown over 2m7f in February with Kiss Will for his uncle Willie back in second. Both could turn up here. Solider In Milan was a staying on fourth in the Grade 3 Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase at Thurles since over 2m5½f. Longer trips could really suit him going handicapping for respected connections. Goraibhmaithagat Listed chase winner Goraibhmaithagat has been progressive in his last two starts, the latest when beaten a head over three-miles-and-a-furlong at Naas in early March. He's a JP McManus-owned six-year-old with a bright future and trainer Colm Murphy is hopeful he has a chance in this race. "I'd say the further he goes, the better he'll be," Murphy said as he looked forward to Fairyhouse, adding that the 137-rated contender merits his place in the field. One Big Bang Another of the UK contingent could be One Big Bang for trainer James Owen. He's got some pleasing form as a novice this season and that can often be a pointer to a big run in this race. He was third in the National Hunt Cup at the Cheltenham Festival off a mark of 139 over this sort of trip and can turn out here from a 1lb lower mark. Monbeg Genius Jonjo O'Neill is no stranger to Easter Monday glory having saddled Butler's Cabin (2007) and Shutthefrontdoor (2014) to win this race. He's now got son AJ on the training ticket with him and they had a Cheltenham Festival to remember with two wins in the Cotswolds. Monbeg Genius ran a big race when third behind Ask Brewster in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham and has been allotted 10st for the Irish National off a mark of 141. He seems unlikely to get into the Aintree field for the following weekend and AJ O'Neill recently stated: "We're hoping and thinking the Irish National could really suit him as he jumps and stays."
