Irish Grand National betting – Top 2024 Irish Grand National odds and tips

There may be no British representation in this year’s race, but each of the big Irish yards will be looking to make their presence felt, with Willie Mullins aiming for his third win from the last four renewals of the contest.

The Cheltenham Festival may be over, but the top-class jumps racing action continues to pour in for punters, with the Irish Grand National taking centre stage at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

Much like its Aintree counterpart, the Irish National offers a stern test of stamina and often proves to be a solid pointer for future English Nationals – with Numbersixvalverde the last horse to complete the double at Aintree in 2006, a year after winning the Irish version. 

There may be no British representation in this year’s race, but each of the big Irish yards will be looking to make their presence felt, with Willie Mullins aiming for his third win from the last three renewals of the contest. 

With 26 horses set to take their chance on forecast heavy ground at the time of writing, the betting market for the Irish Grand National is set to be a lively one. With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the latest Irish Grand National tips and betting offers and listed everything you need to know below in this handy guide. 

Irish Grand National betting sites: Our top picks

Here are some of our favourite betting sites for horse racing.

Irish Grand National winner odds

With 26 runners set to take their chance at the time of writing, the betting odds for the 2024 BoyleSports Irish Grand National are wide open. Plenty are in with a shout, though the current favourite Nick Rockett represents Willie Mullins, who has won two of the last four renewals. 

It’s possible to make a case for a large number of those set to take their chance on Monday, so we have listed the top 10 horses in the Irish Grand National betting below. Please note that all odds listed are subject to change between now and race time. 

• NICK ROCKETT (Willie Mullins) at 4/1 with William Hill
• INTENSE RAFFLES (Thomas Gibney) at 8/1 with BetUK
• HARTUR D’ARC (Gavin Cromwell) at 9/1 with bet365
• SENIOR CHIEF (Henry De Bromhead) at 9/1 with Coral
• DESERTMORE HOUSE (Martin Brassil) at 10/1 with Sky Bet
• YEAH MAN (Gavin Cromwell) at 10/1 with Betfred
• ANY SECOND NOW (Ted Walsh) at 12/1 with Betfair
• WE’LLHAVEWAN (Willie Mullins) at 16/1 with BetVictor
• WHERE IT ALL BEGAN (Gordon Elliott) at 16/1 with Unibet
• FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU (Gordon Elliott) at 20/1 with BetMGM

Our top Irish Grand National betting tip

The Irish Grand National is one of the toughest conundrums around for punters to solve, with the race often producing an unpredictable winner. 

The 2021 and 2022 winners returned at 150/1 and 40/1 respectively, but we feel that it could be worth siding with a well-fancied runner for a yard that won this with Commanche Court in 2000. 

Back ANY SECOND NOW each-way at 12/1 with BetUK

In a race where plenty of the market principals are inexperienced chasers, it could be worth siding with the admirable veteran Any Second Now each-way. 

The 12-year-old has been something of a regular in the staying chasing sphere for a number of years, finishing third behind Minella Times in the 2021 English Grand National and second behind Noble Yeats at Aintree a year later. 

Admittedly, his best days are behind him these days, but he’s still a useful performer in his own right, showing plenty of spark when a staying on sixth in the trial for this in bottomless conditions at Punchestown in February. 

He will arrive here sharp for this having kept fit over an inadequate trip over hurdles at Naas in March and has very much been given a chance by the handicapper here, as he’s able to take his chance off a mark of 140. 

That figure is 19lbs lower than his run in the 2022 Aintree National and he certainly doesn’t have any worries on his side in terms of either the stamina or jumping departments. The 12-year-old has long been campaigned with big targets in mind and with this likely to turn into a stern test, it would be no surprise to see him thrive in the conditions. 

Connections know how to win this race, with Ted Walsh being successful in 2000 and owner JP McManus winning this twice this century, and with four places on offer, it looks worth backing Any Second Now each-way in the Irish Grand National at 12/1 with BetUK.

🏇 Place an each-way bet on Any Second Now at 12/1 with BetUK 🏇

Who are the most prominent contenders for the 2024 Irish Grand National?

The Irish Grand National is one of the most difficult puzzles of the Irish jumps racing season for punters to solve and this year’s renewal looks no different. 

It’s been something for a mixed bag for punters in the race of late and while I Am Maximus (2023) and Burrows Saint (2019) have justified strong market support in recent years, both Freewheelin Dylan (2021) and Lord Lariat (2022) have also caused huge shocks at 150/1 and 40/1 respectively. 

This year’s race looks a wide open renewal, so to help you out we have taken a look at the chances at the top four horses in the betting for you below.

Nick Rockett, 4/1 with William Hill (Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: TBC) 

New to the chasing scene having made just three starts over fences so far but has quickly made an impression, getting off the mark in good style in a beginners chase over two miles and five furlongs here on New Year’s Day. Has since performed with plenty of credit when second to the more experienced American Mike in a Grade 2 novice contest over three miles at Navan in February, when giving the impression that stamina was his trip. 

This is a big ask on just his fourth start over fences, but his trainer won this in recent years with the similarly inexperienced Burrows Saint and I Am Maximus. His opening handicap mark certainly isn’t generous but it’s hard to imagine that there isn’t plenty to come from this seven-year-old, and his strength in the market is ominous. 

🏇 Place a bet on Nick Rockett at 4/1 with William Hill 🏇

Intense Raffles, 8/1 with BetUK (Trainer: Thomas Gibney, Jockey: TBC) 

Experienced six-year-old who has made a good impression since moving over from France, winning back-to-back staying novice contests at this track for his new yard in in January and February. The form is proving strong, too, with the first of those victories was boosted by the runner-up Where It All Began going on to win the Grand National Trial at Punchestown. Appeals as the type to have no trouble with the extra five furlongs or so here and what looks a fair opening mark, he should have every chance for a yard that won this in 2012 with Lion Na Bearnai. 

🏇 Bet on Intense Raffles at 8/1 with BetUK 🏇

Hartur D’arc, 9/1 with bet365 (Trainer: Gavin Cromwell, Jockey: TBC) 

Improving seven-year-old who arrives here on a roll, having won back-to-back contests at Clonmel and Naas respectively so far this year. The latest of those wins came in a (Listed) regional national over three miles and a furlong on soft ground, giving the impression of a strong stayer. He has to carry a 9lbs higher mark here, though it would be no surprise to see further progress for his shrewd connections.  

🏇 Bet on Hartur D’arc at 9/1 with bet365 🏇

Senior Chief, 9/1 with Coral (Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: TBC) 

Another lightly-raced chaser who has shown plenty of ability in three starts over fences so far, finishing third behind the subsequent Arkle winner Gaelic Warrior on chasing debut in November and second behind the 2022 Albert Bartlett runner-up Minella Cocooner on his second outing at Navan in January. Has since opened his account in a beginners chase on heavy ground over just shy of three miles at Punchestown in February, though he made heavy weather of things despite being long odds-on. Will likely have learned plenty from that and appeals as one who will be a smart performer in time, though his opening mark is tough enough and others make more appeal.

🏇 Bet on Senior Chief at 9/1 with Coral 🏇

Desertmore House, 10/1 with Sky Bet (Trainer: Martin Brassil, Jockey: TBC) 

Useful staying chaser who has won three times from six starts over fences, with each of those victories coming over three miles or further. The latest of those wins came in the Kerry National at Listowel in September, when doing so in really good style. Struggled when upped in grade on his next two starts at Leopardstown and Naas respectively but took a step back in the right direction, when third in a Pertemps qualifier over two and three quarter miles in February. Will line up here 9lbs higher than for his last success but is likely to be suited by this stamina test and can’t be ruled out for a yard that won this with a subsequent Grand National winner (Numbersixvalverde) in 2005. 

🏇 Bet on Desertmore House at 10/1 with Sky Bet 🏇

How to place a 2024 Irish Grand National bet

If you’re new to betting on the horse racing, placing your first bet can seem like a daunting task. It’s relatively simple once you know how to, however, and we’ve put together this quick step-by-step guide to help you out. 

1. Sign into your betting account. If you don’t have one, there are plenty of good app suggestions on this page, such as the sponsors of the race BoyleSports. 
2. If you need to create an account, select your bookmaker and click ‘sign up’ at the top of the page. Make sure you use any promotional codes needed to activate any sign up offers. 
3. Once you have created your account, you need to select a horse in the Irish Grand National to bet on. You can view the form for free on sites like Racing Post and Timeform, while all of the runners and riders will also be available to view in the ‘horse racing’ section of your gambling site. 
4. Navigate to the horse racing section and select the racing taking place at Fairyhouse on Monday 1st April 2024. Select the 5pm contest. 
5. Once you have picked out a horse, add them to your betslip by clicking on the odds next to their name in the race card. 
6. You should see the name of your selection appear. Enter the stake that you would like to bet on your horse and don’t forget to select ‘each-way’ if you would like to place an each-way bet on your selection. 
7. Once you have entered your stake, the potential returns should appear in the bet slip. Once you are happy with everything, select ‘place bet’. 
8. Your bet should be placed. Good luck!

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Which sites have the best offers for Irish Grand National betting?

The BoyleSports Irish Grand National is a hugely popular betting race for punters and there are some great sign up offers available to use on the big race. 

With so much competition on the market, each bookmaker offers something different with their Irish Grand National free bet offers, and we’ve picked out three which have caught our eye below. 

BoyleSports

BoyleSports are the title sponsors of the Irish Grand National and new customers can get £20 in free bets when they sign up and stake £10 on the racing. To qualify, create a new account and place a £10 bet at minimum odds of evens on the horse racing. Once that bet has settled, your account will be credited with 1 x £20 free bet, which must be used within seven days of being credited.  

Ladbrokes

New Ladbrokes customers can get £20 in free bets when they sign up and stake £5 on the sportsbook. To qualify, sign up for an account and stake £5 on the sportsbook at odds of 1/2 or greater. Once the bet has settled, you will receive 4 x £5 free bets to use on the sportsbook. 

Which jockey and trainer have been the most successful in the Irish Grand National?

With more than 150 years of history, the Irish Grand National is one of the key races in the Irish jumps racing calendar each year. 

The race is often seen as a good pointer for the English Grand National, with each of Rhyme ‘n’ Reason (1985), Bobbyjo (1998) and Numbersixvalverde (2005) going on to win the Aintree equivalent later in their careers after winning at Fairyhouse. 

Some iconic names have won the race over the years and the most successful trainer in the history of the Irish Grand National is the legendary Tom Dreaper. 

Perhaps best known for training Arkle, Dreaper won this race a record 10 times with Prince Regent (1942), Shagreen (1949), Royal Approach (1954), Olympia (1960), Fortria (1961), Kerforo (1962), Last Link (1963), Arkle (1964), Splash (1965) and Flyingbolt (1966).

The most successful jockey in the Irish Grand National is Pat Taaffe, with six wins. Taaffe’s six Irish Grand National winners came courtesy of Royal Approach (1954), Umm (1955), Zonda (1959), Fortria (1961), Arkle (1964) and Flyingbolt (1966).

What type of race is the Irish Grand National?

Like its English namesake, the Irish Grand National is a staying handicap steeplechase, meaning that candidates need to have a mix of class and stamina if they are to win the race. 

Run over a distance of three miles and five furlongs, the race offers a stern assessment of a horse’s stamina reserves, while the going tends to vary. It often proves to be testing ground, particularly if Easter falls early, making it something of a war of attrition. 

The runners jump a total of 24 fences in the race, with a maximum of 30 runners on the card, though that number is likely to be significantly lower this year. 

Which racecourse is the Irish Grand National held on?

The BoyleSports Irish Grand National has more than 150 years of history and is traditionally run at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Easter Monday. Because of this, the exact date of the race moves around each year depending on the placement of Easter calendar. It means that the ground conditions of the race can vary from year to year, though you generally need to be a smart stayer to win the race. 

How to watch the Irish Grand National in 2024:

• The Irish Grand National will take place at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Monday. The full address is Fairyhouse Racecourse, Fairyhouse Rd, Ballybin, Ratoath, Co. Meath, A85 XK30, Ireland.
• The Irish Grand National is due off at 5.00pm on Easter Monday (Monday 1^st April 2024). 
• ITV Racing isn’t due to broadcast the race on Easter Monday, but British viewers can watch the Irish Grand National live on Racing TV. If you are based in Ireland, the race is also being shown live on RTE 2. 

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