Horse In Profile: High Class Hero With the Irish trainers’ title already comfortably in the bag, Willie Mullins has turned his attention to winning the British equivalent for the second year in a row. He didn’t get to where he is today by being complacent though, so he’ll be a dangerous force at Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival. The main event is the €500,000 Irish Grand National and one of his potential runners is High Class Hero, so we’re going to take a closer look at his profile. Irish Grand National Betting Offer If you have already have a bet365, check out more of the best betting sites and casino bonuses Progressive in point-to-points Things didn’t immediately fall into place when he began his career in Irish points with Matthew O’Connor back in 2021. He was comfortably put in his place by American Mike on debut at Cork, but the winner went on to be fairly useful under rules. Pulling up at Loughanmnore after that, he was beaten quite far out and his race was over before the third-last fence. Perhaps something was amiss that day as it was a different story when winning by four lengths at Loughbrickland on his third and final point-to-point start. Shaping like a stayer from early on Switching hands for £90,000 after that, he immediately looked like a stayer when making his rules debut in a 2m4f bumper at Listowel in June 2023. There was lots to like about the performance as he pulled comfortably clear to score by over six lengths. Connections didn’t waste any more time in that sphere and he was sent over hurdles at Galway two months later. Making no mistake, he cosily got the better of Tag Man and followed up in a novice hurdle at Listowel after that. He took the step up to Listed level in his stride at Limerick in October that year and managed to beat a couple of useful types with ease, including the now 155-rated The Wallpark. Spring festival performances Returning to three miles for the first time since his pointing days was inevitable sooner or later and he lined up in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last year. He was far too keen in the early stages and was never able to do himself justice. High Class Hero produced a significantly improved performance at Punchestown however and he got within half-a-length of stablemate Dancing City when finishing second. Could he be the 2025 Irish Grand National winner? He appeared to need the run when second on his seasonal debut and first start over fences at Punchestown on New Years’ Eve. That was proven to be the case as he duly obliged over a shorter trip at the same track next time, beating stablemate Loughglynn. The son of Sulamani then finished second by less than a length in a Grade 3 novice chase at Thurles and he was outsprinted more than anything that day. Clearly he's an unexposed novice and the best is almost certainly yet to come. Perhaps this marathon trip will unlock his full potential and there’s loads to like about his profile ahead of the big race. If lining up here, you would imagine he will have plenty of supporters and victory could be on the agenda.
