OUTSIDERS HAVE A great record in the Irish Grand National — six of the last 10 winners have gone off at prices of 20/1 or better.
So it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a few value bets among the 30 runners that will line up in the Easter Monday showpiece at Fairyhouse, right?
Barry Geraghty and Shutthefrontdoor rewarded those who focused on the top end of the market last year and with AP McCoy booked for one last time in the race, you can be sure that there will be plenty of support for this year’s favourite Cantlow.
Here are three each-way shots, priced at 20/1 or better, that could be worth a second look in your racecard.
Odds correct at the time of writing.
Thunder and Roses (25/1)
One of six runners for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, Sandra Hughes’ charge looks a little bit overpriced at 25/1. His second to Apache Stronghold in his first race over fences now looks to be a good piece of form, even if the rest of the season hasn’t been quite as impressive. Won a three-mile beginners chase on soft-to-heavy here in January and this race has been in mind since before his disappointing run at Cheltenham last month. In good hands with Katie Walsh on board.
Rivage d’Or (25/1)
Another Gigginstown runner, and one which is fresh in the memory after he came back from a seven-month break to win the Glenfarclas Cross Country at Cheltenham last month. Shane Shortall brings the weight down to a very tempting 10-0, a full 10lbs less than his Cheltenham win, and we know he stays the distance. The ground is a slight concern, though he does have a few wins on soft/soft-to-heavy from earlier in his career.
Tammy’s Hill (20/1)
There’s plenty to recommend Liam Lennon’s charge on last season’s form where he stood out as one of the top hunter chasers before going on to win the Foxhunter at Cheltenham. He has been relatively lightly raced this season — his only run over fences was in the Grade 1 JNWine Chase, company where he was always likely to be outclassed. Ten-year-olds won this race in 2012 and 2013, so while the young novices will hoover up the money, don’t discount one of the field’s older heads.
