Irish Grand National 2026: Runners, Tips, and Betting Guide

The BoyleSports Irish Grand National takes place on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Fairyhouse, featuring a prize fund of €500,000.

Analysis from the Racing Post indicates that Better Days Ahead is a primary contender for the title. David Jennings has identified the horse as the likely winner of the event.

Better Days Ahead and Trainer Strategy

Better Days Ahead enters the race carrying top weight. To mitigate this, trainer Gordon Elliott has opted to utilize the 7lb claim of jockey Mr R James.

While the horse finished sixth in the 2025 Irish Grand National off the same mark, Jennings notes that the previous performance occurred at the end of a rigorous campaign and followed a third-place finish in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham. The preparation for the 2026 race has been more measured, consisting of two runs in small fields.

This has been the plan all season. He has top weight, but the most important thing is for the ground to stay on the soft side. He’s in great condition. With the weight he has, we’ve decided to claim off him again.

Gordon Elliott, trainer

International Contenders and Betting Outlook

British trainers have seen a degree of success in the Irish Grand National in recent years, securing two of the last 11 victories at Fairyhouse.

One of the leading British entries is The Judebox Kid, who is currently listed at odds of 7/1. According to reporting from Oddschecker, the horse is considered to have a favorite’s chance of winning the race.

The build-up to the Monday event has been supported by various detailed guides, including a runner-by-runner analysis from RaceiQ via Racing TV and a pinstickers’ guide from the Racing Post, which provided a 1-2-3-4 prediction for the field.