Willie Mullins has stolen the show in recent weeks with Grand National and Scottish Grand National successes, but I can’t see the Irishman making his mark in his homeland. Instead, Gordon Elliott can finally land the big race of the day after enduring a slow season.
We have not been short of rain over the past few days in Ireland, and it looks primed to be a race for the mud lovers or those who have managed to sneak in off a low weight – like WILL DO (18/1). The eight-year-old made the field yesterday after previously being second reserve, but the withdrawal of stablemate Tullybeg could prove crucial.
Will Do has failed to break his maiden tag over fences so far, but he was an eye-catching third in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and could relish this extended trip. With the ground also likely to be in his favour and Harry Sexton claiming a valuable 7lb, the gelding looks primed to have his say on the race.
Similarly, KINTURK KALANISI (17/2) looks laid out for this race. After his victory with Intense Raffles last year, Thomas Gibney knows what it takes to win an Irish National. The gelding was last seen unseating Anna McGuiness at Naas, but he was travelling like a dream at the time and appeared to have plenty left to give.
MALINA GIRL is another who looks to hold a strong chance, despite mares not having the best record in this race. Trainer Gavin Cromwell has enjoyed another brilliant season and landing the spoils at Fairyhouse would be no real surprise.
His stable star ran superbly in the Ultima to finish third behind two very well-handicapped runners, staying on brilliantly up the hill to see off the rallying Happygolucky. With good form in the book and on this ground, she could run another big race for connections.
National Hunt Chase winner HAITI COULEURS (7/1) is also in with a shout, and he could still have plenty of hand. The Welsh raider bolted up at Cheltenham but looked set to battle it out with the reopposing Now Is The Hour before he came down. A 7lb higher mark could see him let off lightly.
To complete my top five, I’ll take a chance on YEAH MAN (33/1) to bounce back to form. The eight-year-old hasn’t run particularly well this season but a step up in trip could eke out some more improvement on his favoured heavy ground.
1 Will Do (18/1)
2 Kinturk Kalanisi (17/2)
3 Malina Girl (20/1)
4 Haiti Couleurs (7/1)
5 Yeah Man (33/1)
