2026 Irish Grand National Horses – Runners, Odds and Expert Picks
The Irish Grand National is one of those great races that pulls everyone in – from hardened form students to office sweepstake heroes and once-a-year punters having a small flutter for fun.
Easter Monday at Fairyhouse, on 6 April 2026, promises all the usual drama: big-field chaos, stamina-sapping ground, and at least one result that has everyone talking afterwards.
If you want to have a bet, follow the storylines, or simply sound like you know what you’re on about, this guide walks you through the main runners, how the weights work, and a few runners who look to have genuine claims this year.
2026 Irish Grand National Runners & Odds
The field is set, with 30 horses lining up and a blend of handicappers, progressive novices and a couple of potential plot horses who could explode into life over this marathon trip.
Below, we break down the leading names, what they’ve done so far, and why they might (or might not) be the answer to this year’s puzzle.
| No. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Kiss Will | Paul Townend | W P Mullins | 6/1 |
| 5 | The Jukebox Kid | Ben Jones | Ben Pauling | 13/2 |
| 10 | Soldier In Milan | Donagh Meyler | Emmet Mullins | 7/1 |
| 3 | Argento Boy | Sean O'Keeffe | W P Mullins | 9/1 |
| 8 | C'est Ta Chance | Danny Mullins | W P Mullins | 11/1 |
| 15 | One Big Bang | Sean Bowen | James Owen | 12/1 |
| 25 | Showurappreciation | Mark Walsh | Jonathan Sweeney | 12/1 |
| 1 | Better Days Ahead | Mr R James | Gordon Elliott | 14/1 |
| 16 | Goraibhmaithagat | Harry Cobden | C A Murphy | 14/1 |
| 18 | Better Times Ahead | Simon Torrens | Robert Tyner | 16/1 |
| 30 | Waterford Whispers | Darragh O'Keeffe | Henry de Bromhead | 16/1 |
| 11 | Monbeg Genius | Jonjo O'Neill Jr | Jonjo & A J O'Neill | 18/1 |
| 2 | Search For Glory | James Smith | Gordon Elliott | 20/1 |
| 9 | Flicker Of Hope | Michael Kenneally | Mark Fahey | 20/1 |
| 12 | Shecouldbeanything | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott | 22/1 |
| 7 | Yeah Man | Keith Donoghue | Gavin Cromwell | 25/1 |
| 17 | Karia Des Blaises | Anna McGuinness | W P Mullins | 25/1 |
| 21 | The Enabler | Danny Gilligan | Gordon Elliott | 25/1 |
| 20 | Kurasso Blue | Jordan Gainford | Gordon Elliott | 28/1 |
| 23 | O'Toole | James Bowen | S R B Crawford | 28/1 |
| 24 | Sa Majeste | Aidan Kelly | W P Mullins | 28/1 |
| 28 | Born Braver | Eoghan Finegan | Gavin Cromwell | 28/1 |
| 4 | Joystick | Brian Hayes | W P Mullins | 33/1 |
| 27 | Weveallbeencaught | Patrick M O'Brien | E McNamara | 33/1 |
| 29 | Shanbally Kid | John Shinnick | W P Mullins | 33/1 |
| 6 | Rushmount | Mr Alan O'Sullivan | Jonathan Sweeney | 40/1 |
| 26 | Western Walk | Daniel King | Jonathan Sweeney | 40/1 |
| 22 | Duffle Coat | Josh Williamson | Gordon Elliott | 50/1 |
| 19 | Hartur D'arc | Sean Flanagan | John C McConnell | 66/1 |
| 14 | Velvet Elvis | Alex Harvey | John C McConnell | 80/1 |
Top Of The Betting
The Jukebox Kid
Trainer: Ben Pauling | Jockey: Ben Jones
Connections have swerved the usual spring targets to keep The Jukebox Kid fresh for this race, and everything in his campaign suggests Fairyhouse has been the main aim all along.
A progressive staying chaser, he gives the impression that an extreme trip on a big, galloping track will suit him right down to the ground, and his racing weight should let him find a smooth rhythm in the early stages.
If he reproduces his fluent jumping from smaller fields in this much bigger line-up, it is not hard to see why he sits so close to the top of the betting.
Kiss Will
Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: Paul Townend
Kiss Will is the latest Closutton novice to make a name for himself, with solid placed efforts in good company and a previous victory that hinted there’s still plenty more to come.
He’s already shown he can see out three miles while jumping neatly for the most part, and being only six and on a good weight, he fits the profile of a quietly-ridden closer who can creep into contention late.
Townend’s decision to side with him has not gone unnoticed, and that booking alone has seen his price contract sharply.
Soldier In Milan
Trainer: Emmet Mullins | Jockey: Donagh Meyler
This is the first horse saddled by Emmet Mullins in the Irish Grand National and Soldier In Milan has been brought along with patience, mixing novice and handicap company to very good effect.
A winner earlier in the campaign, he has already shown he can hold his own against graded performers, and that defeat of Kiss Will in a Beginners’ Chase at Punchestown underlines the raw ability he brings to the table.
If he continues on his current upward curve, he is a major player.
Each-Way Players
Slight further down the betting, and usually where the winner comes from, we have a few selections that are worth an each-way consideration.
One Big Bang – 12/1
Trainer: James Owen | Jockey: Sean Bowen
One Big Bang ran a stormer to finish third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham on only his fourth start over the larger obstacles.
Sean Bowen, who won this race 12 months ago on Haiti Couleurs, is back aboard, and he rides Fairyhouse as well as anyone.
With solid form over 3m and beyond, proven soft-ground ability, and more improvement to come, he is a serious each-way contender but the odds on him keep dropping so clearly people have picked up that he is good value for money.
Goraibhmaithagat – 14/1
Trainer: Colm Murphy | Jockey: Harry Cobden
This JP McManus-owned six-year-old is firmly on an upward trajectory, having landed a Listed novice chase at Naas in February by a head under Mark Walsh before being agonisingly collared late in a stronger Listed event last time.
He remains lightly raced, is clearly improving, and Colm Murphy’s yard is in cracking form. Soft conditions are a plus, and 14/1 looks more than fair if he gets a clear run.
Also interesting is that Harry Cobden, who will become McManus's retained rider next season, get the ride!
Monbeg Genius – 18/1
Trainer: Jonjo & AJ O’Neill | Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Jonjo O’Neill has already lifted this prize twice, and Monbeg Genius could well be the one to give him a third.
Now a 10-year-old, he ran a cracking race when third in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month, jumping superbly in first-time blinkers.
He’s a relentless galloper, proven on soft ground, and his regular rider knows every quirk, which is a big plus in this sort of race.
Bigger-Price Longshots
They can't all go off as favourite and with a field of 30 horses there are bound to be some who catch the eye more than others.
When you look at form and experience there are still a few higher priced runners who could outrun their odds.
Shecouldbeanything – 22/1
Trainer: Gordon Elliott | Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Gordon Elliott earmarked this race for Shecouldbeanything after Cheltenham, and in Jack Kennedy she has one of the very best in the plate.
She’s a strong stayer who handles testing going and ran in last year’s renewal, so we know she acts around Fairyhouse.
Placed 10 times from 13 chase starts and racing off 10-12, she’s nicely weighted, and mares often come into their own fresh in these big spring staying handicaps.
Born Braver – 28/1
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell | Jockey: Eoghan Finegan
Born Braver brings proper staying form and proven soft-ground credentials to the table for Gavin Cromwell.
He arrives here on the back of a big win in the Ulster National, and at 28/1 he looks a cracking each-way shout if his jumping holds up and he can get competitive turning for home.
The only slight worry is whether there’s enough petrol left after that Downpatrick success on 29 March.
Shanbally Kid – 33/1
Trainer: Willie Mullins | Jockey: John Shinnick
Mullins has taken this prize twice in the last six runnings and tends to send exactly the right sort of handicapper for the job.
Shanbally Kid signed off last season with a huge victory over 3m7½f at Punchestown, proving he has the stamina for extreme tests.
This term has been a bit in-and-out, but on a going day he has the raw tools to make his presence felt at a big price.
How To Choose Your Irish Grand National Bet
Having a once-a-year bet? Focus on a few simple angles rather than trying to out-think the market.
Look at horses who have already run well over three miles or further, and remember that those carrying under 11st have historically done well, but don’t dismiss class acts carrying a bit more.
With Storm Dave roaring through Ireland, the official going at Fairyhouse is ‘Yielding To Soft' so a little bit muddier than usual which will suit quite a few of the runners!
Gordon Elliott is ahead in the Irish Trainers Championship and he'd like to keep it that way. However, not to be outdone, Willie Mullins is running seven horses in the hopes that the prize money offer will bump into first place.
Both are major players, but, sometimes a small yard with one great horse is all it takes at Fairyhouse.
2026 Irish Grand National Tips
30 runners & riders will take to the starting tape at Fairyhouse but only one can win the 2026 Irish Grand National.
Here are four horses who make plenty of appeal at the prices.
The Jukebox Kid: Ben Pauling has openly worked back from this race, and he gets the soft conditions that really suit his improving chaser.
With three wins from four over fences, proven stamina at 3m and beyond, and a manageable racing weight of 11-2, he ticks a lot of boxes.
That recent Ascot Grade 2 success underlines how solid his form is, and he still looks to be on an upward curve.
Better Times Ahead: A dual course winner at Fairyhouse, including in the Porterstown Handicap Chase over 3m6f, he clearly relishes this track and its searching test.
Trainer Robert Tyner flagged the Irish National as the main objective after his latest win here, noting both his love of soft ground and his affinity with the circuit.
His burden of 10-8 fits the traditional winner profile nicely, and the JP McManus colours are always worth respecting in a race like this.
One Big Bang: This eight-year-old grey carries a very workable 10-10 and has already shown his ability in large-field staying handicaps.
His third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month proved he can handle a big occasion and a deep field.
With proven stamina, soft-ground form, and Sean Bowen – last year’s winning jockey – back on board, he’s high on any shortlist.
Shecouldbeanything: With 10 podium finishes from 13 chase runs and just 10-12 on her back, Shecouldbeanything is attractively handicapped.
Elliott has confirmed this has been the plan, and in Jack Kennedy she has a top-class partner who knows how to ride a patient, confident race.
She was seventh in last year’s renewal, so we already know she jumps and stays around Fairyhouse, and that experience could prove invaluable this time.
How To Watch and Enjoy the 2026 Irish Grand National
The 2026 Irish Grand National will be shown live on ITV and Racing TV in Britain, and on RTÉ2 in Ireland, with the off time scheduled for 5pm.
Even if you don’t follow racing from one end of the year to the other, it’s a brilliant spectacle to enjoy with friends or family, whether you’re tuned in from the sofa or tracking your sweepstake pick.
And The Winner Is…
The Irish Grand National rarely runs to a simple script – it’s unpredictable, dramatic and always throws up at least one story that lives long in the memory.
Whether you’re siding with a warm favourite, taking a chance on a battle-hardened veteran, or just picking the name that makes you smile, it’s a race that delivers theatre from start to finish.
Whatever you back, keep it fun, stay within your limits, and may the luck of the Irish smile on you if this is your one big bet of the year.
All runners and odds are correct as of 6 April 2026 – always double-check the latest information and prices before placing your bets.
BETFRED
