Bet365 Free Football Bets

Can The Irish Win The Grand National Again?

Can The Irish Win The Grand National Again?

If it happens it will be the seventh time in the last ten renewals, a statistic that already says they can. Wins in 2007 (Silver Birch), 2006 (Numbersixvalverde), 2005 (Hedgehunter), 2003 (Monty’s Pass), 2000 (Papillon) and in 1999 (Bobbyjo) suggest that not only can they win but that they have dominated the race. Additionally there are more Irish runners than ever before that will go to post.

This year the raid from across the water is led by Black Apalachi and Hear The Echo, who have been long time fancies in the race.

Trained by Dessie Hughes, Black Apalachi was the very impressive winner over the Aintree fences in the Bechers Chase last November. He also won the coveted Bobbjo Chase at Fairyhouse as a warm up for Aintree.

Hear The Echo is now the sole representative of trainer Mouse Morris. The 8 year old won the 2008 Irish Grand National, a race which underlines his staying and jumping ability.

Champion Irish trainer, Willie Mullins tries his luck once again with Snowy Morning who was third last year behind Comply Or Die. He is a horse who will stay forever, but Mullins has conceded that he has been treated harshly at the weights. Mullins saddled the winner of the race in 2005 when Hedgehunter with Ruby Walsh on board took the race

Mullins also runs the aptly named Irish Invader, who has shown great form all season. Three wins on the spin and before that he ran into three places suggesting that this horse could be a good thing. He is well in at the weights and is a good jumper. The down side is that the 8 year has never been run over 3 miles and Aintree is 4½!

L’Ami, trained by Enda Bolger must have a live chance based on his excellent second in the Cheltenham Festival’s Foxhunters last month. He is one of four owned by JP McManus and is also the one who fell at the second fence last year and ended top jockey’s, Mick Fitzgerald’s career.

Thomas Mullins runs Chelsea Harbour again this year. The nine year old came home 9th last year and is a proven stayer with some class, but at 11st 8lb it will be a tall order to improve on last year’s performance.

There have been several whispers concerning the chances of the Charlie Swan trained Offshore Account who has been brought back to his best following a promising career as a novice. The same applies to the form and potential of the Thomas O’Leary trained Priests Leap.

We should not forget that in addition to Comply Or Die there is a second past winner of the race entered. Silver Birch won in 2007 and his trainer Gordon Elliott claims he has in him bang on for another tilt this year.

Paddy Power are offering a best price of 9-4 for an Irish trained winner this year – will those odds be right?

Previous Grand National News Articles