21-04-2025
Irish Grand National live updates and more from the big race at Fairyhouse
The BoyleSports Irish Grand National takes centre stage today as 30 runners go to the post for the biggest prize in Irish jumps racing.
From Desert Orchid to Bobbyjo to I Am Maximus, this race has been won by some of horse racing's most famous names.
And this year's edition has the makings of another fascinating contest. Willie Mullins has reigned supreme again this season and will look to add to his Aintree Grand National success.
Having already saddled two Grade 1 winners at Fairyhouse on Sunday, Mullins runs two horses in today's feature race.
Paul Townend will be on board the Michael O'Leary-owned Quai De Bourbon, who will need to shoulder a big weight to victory.
Mullins' team is dwarfed, though, by the team of Gavin Cromwell. The Meath trainer is running seven in the race, including the JP McManus-owned Bioluminescence, who has been heavily backed in recent days.
The big race is scheduled at 5pm but there are also plenty of great races to look forward to on the rest of the card.
Stay with us for all the action.
By Brian Flanagan
Will Do can emulate I Am Maximus in 2023 and break his maiden tag over fences in Easter Monday's €500,000 Boylesports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Willie Mullins' subsequent Aintree hero famously won his first chase race in this two years ago and this Gordon Elliott-trained and Gigginstown House-owned gelding should relish the trip and ground today.
The eight-year-old only scraped into the field yesterday morning as second reserve following the withdrawal of two runners, including Elliott's Tullybeg, but it could be a last minute move that reaps huge dividends.
The ground is likely to be very testing at Fairyhouse and Will Do is a very strong stayer on deep ground and with Kevin Sexton claiming a hugely valuable 7lbs he's gets in here off a very light weight.
Despite the fact he's yet to win a race he does boast some good form and finished third behind today's likely favourite Haiti Couleurs in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
"There is a lot of history to the race, you look at the greats that have won it in previous years. There is always new history to the race too, as well as the old videos, that always adds to it.
"Maybe High Class Hero of Willie's he is probably better than what he has shown over fences this year, he got beat the last time out on quick enough ground at Thurles so stepping up, on lovely ground at Fairyhouse, I would say he could be just a bit better than his handicap mark.
"I'd like Gavin Cromwell's horse, Now Is The Hour. He seems to have been lined up for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and he was going to run a really big race when he fell at the second last, there is definitely a big pot in him.
"If he's been kept fresh with this, he has some form with Captain Cody at Navan who won the Scottish National, so I'd say he could get compensated now in the Irish National."
There are eight races to look forward to on Irish Grand National day at Fairyhouse Racecourse. It all starts at 2.05 with the Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle.
We then have three Grade 2s to look forward to before the big race goes to post at 5.00pm. We will previewing the Grand National throughout the afternoon, so stay with us for all the action....
Running Order - Fairyhouse 21 April 2025
2.05 Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle
2.40 O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)
3.15 Fairyhouse Steel Handicap Hurdle
3.50 Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle (Grade 2)
4.20 Jack McInerney Memorial Fairyhouse Steeplechase (Grade 2)
5.00 BoyleSports Irish Grand National Steeplechase
5.40 Envirogreen Building Services Handicap Steeplechase
6.10 Leinster Reinforcements & Brazil Piling (Pro/Am) Flat Race
