Irish Grand National 2025 tips: Selections for all eight races at Fairyhouse
Progressive Haiti Couleurs and English champion-jockey elect Sean Bowen might give Wales a first victory in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.
The traditional €500,000 Easter Monday showpiece last went for export when Shutthefrontdoor triumphed in 2014 for Jonjo O'Neill, who runs Johnnywho today.
But Haiti Couleurs has the ideal profile for the race. A late developing eight-year-old, he's a progressive novice, jumps and stays well and comes here on the back of a convincing win in Cheltenham's National Hunt (Handicap) Chase.
That victory proved his stamina, as he beat Rock My Way by four and a half lengths, with Will Do, who reopposes today, back in third.
Trained by Rebecca Curtis, the selection is now 6lb higher and gets the vote to confirm form with Will Do and Now Is The Hour, one of six runners for Gavin Cromwell in today's race, who was Haiti Couleurs' nearest pursuer, travelling well, when he capsized at the second last.
But the Curtis gelding has far more experience over fences than Cromwell's charge. And that will stand to him in this 30-runner affair.
He has won three of his four chase starts, kicking off with a win, off 125, at Aintree in November before following-up at Cheltenham the following month.
Click on this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest Cheltenham Festival news and top stories from the Irish Mirror direct to your phone on WhatsApp. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Third to Santos Blue at Newbury next time, he then fulfilled his potential at Cheltenham and, despite a rise in the ratings, he looks well-placed to run a massive race for Bowen, cleared to ride today thanks to a reduction of a six-day suspension.
Haiti Couleurs likes to race prominently, making use of his jumping. And that quality should enable him to stay out of trouble in what is always a tough race.
Now Is The Hour hasn't hit the target over fences yet but shaped well when third to Three Card Brag at Navan before his Cheltenham mishap.
He must be on the shortlist here, along with stable-companion Bioluminescence, lightly-raced over fences but a Grade 2 winner in this sphere and runner-up to Spindleberry (a winner again yesterday) at Fairyhouse last time.
And another Cromwell hope, Noble Birth, successful on this track in January, has sneaked into the bottom of the handicap and must not be ruled out.
Gordon Elliott is responsible for seven of the 30 runners, including novice top weight Better Days Ahead, third to Lecky Watson in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, last time and reserve Will Do, who is guaranteed a run.
Willie Mullins, splitting his focus between the British Trainers Championship and domestic action, runs two, with Paul Townend on novice Quai De Bourbon, a casualty in Grade 1 company at both Cheltenham and Aintree.
Peter O'Hehir's tips for Fairyhouse
2.05 King In Love
2.40 Its Bilbo
3.15 Oscars Brother
3.50 Maxxum
4.20 Heart Wood (Nap)
5.00 Haiti Couleurs
5.40 Folly Master
6.10 Shuttle Diplomacy
Next Best
2.05 Aurea Fortuna
2.40 Blue Lemons
3.15 Come Walk With Me
3.50 KopeckDe Mee
4.20 Found A Fifty
5.00 Bioluminescence
5.40 Better Times Ahead
6.10 Sortudo
Double: Heart Wood and Folly Master.
O'Hehir's Longshot: Kaptain Bay (2.05)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
22 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Former trainer Peter Easterby, winner of two Cheltenham Gold Cups, dies aged 95
A member of one of the most famous racing families in Yorkshire, he trained with great success on the Flat and over jumps before retiring in 1996. He was succeeded by his son, Tim, while his brother Mick still shares a licence today with his own son, David, with many other members of the family involved in racing. Tim Easterby announced on X: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father Peter Easterby. "He passed away peacefully in his own home with his family by his side. "A true gentleman, legendary racehorse trainer, passionate farmer, lover of country sports and an incredibly proud father and grandfather." Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse were both dual Champion Hurdle winners, while Easterby also won two Gold Cups with Alverton in 1979 and Little Owl in 1981. Proving his versatility, Easterby sent out Sea Pigeon to win the Ebor off top weight and the Chester Cup twice, while Night Nurse finished second to Little Owl in the Gold Cup, narrowly failing to become the first horse to win the two biggest prizes at the Cheltenham Festival. Saucy Kit was another Champion Hurdle winner in 1967 for Easterby and for a time his five wins in the race were a record. His notable Flat triumphs included the Kings's Stand Stakes with Goldhill, the Gimcrack with Sonnen Gold, two Lincolns and three Ayr Gold Cups. Easterby, a cousin of former Irish rugby players Simon and Guy Easterby, sent out over 2,500 winners during his lengthy career and Tim Easterby is still based at Habton Grange. Jonjo O'Neill was crowned champion jockey twice in 1977-78 and 1978-79 with the help of Easterby and he was aboard Alverton for his Gold Cup success and Sea Pigeon for his 1980 Champion Hurdle win. "We had some great times together, he was great man to ride for and we were very lucky together - you could say we were a good partnership," said O'Neill. "He was a great man and a great trainer, what he did with the likes of Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse - their longevity was incredible. And to win a Gold Cup with Alverton, he didn't have great legs. "It's hard to pick out one particular race. I think the best thing you could say was that he could train a horse to win over five furlongs or 25 miles. He was just a genius and a great man to ride for. "He just understood the game and understood horses, he had a great eye for them and made it easy for everyone. He was brilliant, there was always another day in his eyes." O'Neill missed the 1981 Cheltenham Festival through injury and John Francome was called up to replace him on the then 11-year-old Sea Pigeon when he produced an ice-cool ride that went down in history. Francome said: "I saw Tim [Easterby] last Thursday up at Malton at Jack Berry's do and he said he wasn't very well then, but he was an amazing guy. "It's amazing to train 1,000 winners on the Flat and jumping, you never saw him when he wasn't smiling, he was as sharp as a tack and lovely with it - he was a charming man." Reflecting on Sea Pigeon's 1981 Champion Hurdle triumph, Francome added: "Jonjo broke his leg really badly in a fall at Bangor, so I got the call. "Peter was always relaxed. I remember going in the paddock at Cheltenham and saying 'how is he?' because I'd never ridden him out or anything, and Peter just said 'he's better than he was last year' and he was absolutely right. "I never sat down and discussed it with him. He trained him, he was the best horse and that was it. "He was an easy horse to ride and the best horse in the race by some way." Mick Easterby hailed the many training accomplishments of his brother via his website and concluded by saying: "Peter touched the lives of so many people. He will be greatly missed by the family and the many friends he made both in the racing and farming communities."
Extra.ie
24 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Life beyond the touchline: Stuart Lancaster's new chapter in Ireland
As Stuart Lancaster begins his next chapter as head coach of Connacht Rugby, the former England boss is once again calling Ireland home – but this time, without the constant commute. Lancaster spent seven years with Leinster Rugby, earning praise for helping build a high-performance culture and guiding the team to multiple titles. Off the pitch, however, life wasn't always seamless, as for much of that time, Lancaster was commuting between Dublin and his family home in Leeds. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher Despite the demanding schedule, he made it work. His wife, Nina, and their two children remained in the UK, with Lancaster frequently flying home on weekends to be with them. In interviews, he often acknowledged the strain but spoke about how supportive his family had been throughout his career. 'It's worked surprisingly well,' he once said of the arrangement to The 42, 'The family are used to being away from home with the England job. This is actually closer to home than Twickenham was'. Stuart and Nina Lancaster. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile Nina Lancaster is a fitness, nutrition, and wellness expert, and runs her own coaching and consulting business. While Stuart's coaching took him abroad, she remained based in the UK to support their children, Dan and Sophie, and manage her own professional commitments. When news of Stuart's Connacht appointment was announced, Nina shared her excitement online, posting on social media: ' Looking forward to our next venture in Galway.' His son, Dan Lancaster, is an English professional rugby union player currently with Racing 92. He has previously played for Leicester Tigers in the Premiership, as well as for Ealing Trailfinders, Leeds Tykes, and Nottingham in the RFU Championship. Now, based in Galway for his new role with Connacht, Lancaster is enjoying a more settled experience in Ireland. The move to the west of the country marks a significant shift – not just professionally, but personally. With Connacht's state-of-the-art High Performance Centre and a strong local rugby culture, he has spoken enthusiastically about being part of a project he believes in from the ground up. Although Lancaster keeps his family life relatively private, it's clear his wife and children remain a core part of his decision-making. He has previously mentioned how his children's milestones, from finishing school to starting university, impacted his choices about where and how to work. Ireland has played an important role in Lancaster's coaching journey. His time at Leinster helped rebuild his reputation after England's 2015 World Cup exit and gave him a real appreciation for the Irish rugby culture. Now in Galway, he's deepening that connection, taking on a new challenge while enjoying a more balanced life off the pitch.
The Irish Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Ireland AM star missing on air AGAIN as viewers brand fan-favourite replacement host ‘a breath of fresh air'
IRELAND AM star Alan Hughes was missing from the morning show again today - but fans were full of praise for his popular replacement. The Virgin Media TV star co-hosts the hit morning show alongside 2 Alan has jetted off on a lavish holiday with his husband Credit: Brian McEvoy 2 Eric Roberts stood in for Alan today Credit: Instagram However, the mainstay host has been absent from the hit breakfast show on this year. was missing from the small screen again today a s he is enjoying a sun-soaked getaway. The 61-year-old and his husband Karl Broderick have jetted off to Sitges in Taking over from Alan's hosting duties for the day was READ MORE ON IRELAND AM After hosting the show across the weekend, Eric returned to the couch this morning alongside Muireann and Tommy. The trio posed on set in the Virgin Media studios for a smiling snap. The Viewers raced to social media with praise after the show. most read in the irish sun One fan wrote: "Love Eric on the show he's a breath of fresh air." A second gushed: "The lovely Eric certainly brightens up any morning." Ireland AM studio turns into disco Another added: "Great Eric is back." Tommy Bowe made a Gerard Jordan, who's best known for his role as Steo Nash in the hit soap, sat down with and . However, the hosts had their wires crossed and mixed up some of the Dubliner's credentials with an English actor with the same name. AWKWARD! When introducing Gerard to viewers, Karen mentioned some shows that she thought he had acted in. She said: "He has overcome the carnage of Carrigstown, faced down the White Walkers in During their chat, Tommy also spoke about the hit series saying: "Obviously you're involved in The 34-year-old pulled up the presenters on the incorrect information saying: "I wasn't on Karen and Tommy both looked surprised as Karen asked: "You have another one. Is there another one?" The dad-of-eight replied: "Yeah there's another one, yeah. I wasn't on Game of Thrones or Derry Girl, but I was just on Fair City."
