There is Grade 1 action from Fairyhouse this afternoon and Tony Keenan previews the action and also underlines a good each-way bet at Cork.
Irish racing tips: Monday April 6
0.5pts e.w. Glen Kiln in 15:50 Fairyhouse at 11/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3)
2026 sees a slightly different BOYLE Sports Irish Grand National Chase (17:00), the race lacking some class at the top end as the better horses wait for Aintree in five days’ time, but there is a clutch of runners rated in the 130s in the field, many of them less exposed than the usual participants.
Soldier In Milan is the most interesting of those at the front of the market, his last run all about qualifying for this race as he needed a fourth spin over fences, and he finished well over an inadequate trip, ridden with an eye to the next day.
Stamina looks his thing, and Emmet Mullins going for the tongue-tie is typically a positive; his record using that piece of equipment first time in national hunt races is 10 winners from 45 runners with 20 places, for a level-stakes profit of 45.41 points. His inexperience is a worry, however, having not run in a race like this or even over hurdles.
JP McManus has a five-strong team, of which Showurappreciation might be the pick. He would have had little chance of getting near this race at the start of the winter but has progressed quickly, showing lots of stamina to win last time after conceding first run to the runner-up who is dangerous from the front. His stable continues in excellent form.
Flicker Of Hope looked an ideal type for this race as far back as his hurdling days and shaped like a strong stayer when winning over three miles at Naas in January. He jumped well then and won with a bit in hand, posting a strong Timeform timefigure. It is probably worth forgiving his disappointing run next time as it came 16 days later, and he has been given a break since.
Of the outsiders, Weveallbeencaught makes some appeal. His trainer does well with older horses acquired from other yards and he went close in the Munster National in October despite that race not being enough of a test for him. His Paddy Power run was disappointing, but he came back to form in first-time cheekpieces in the Kim Muir, caught further back than ideal off a steady pace but finishing off well, and arrives here fresher than most.
So, a four horses shortlist for me, though I’m not sure that helps much in a tough race!
Hopefully, the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle at 15:50 is a little easier to sort. There are a few more unexposed types in this field than is often the case and Kawaboomga is one that might even have Champion Hurdle aspirations judged on his novice hurdle form with Kopek Des Bordes and William Munny.
He shaped well on his first start of the season at Gowran, meeting some trouble and finishing well despite not being knocked about. His price looks about right, however, as he must prove he stays this trip.
The winner at Gowran was Storm Heart and conditions look to suit him well here, the fast ground in the Coral Cup just catching him out, though he is backing up quite soon after that run. Again, his price looks pretty accurate.
GLEN KILN, on the other hand, might be overpriced. He has improved this season and looked better than ever when winning at Naas last time, impressing with both his jumping and attitude. That form ties in closely with the Gowran form of the two fancied Mullins-trained runners.
He has had a break since that win, a similar preparation for this meeting as he had last season when winning impressively, and it is possible that this is his best trip.
The O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle (14:40) might be a bit more open than the betting suggests and I am inclined to go back to the Naas maiden hurdle won by Kai Lung in January in search of the winner. Kai Lung won there despite doing a bit wrong before disappointing in the Triumph but couldn’t get to the lead then, his jumping suffering as he over-raced.
He should find it easier to get to the front here and a better effort would be no surprise. In fifth that day at Naas was Moulin Labbe but he shaped a fair bit better than that, making a nasty mistake three out when going well, his jockey rushing him a little to recover and he then got hampered at the second last which prompted another mistake.
His chance was gone after that, but he won impressively next time at Navan and has the potential to do better again here, for all that he may be more of chasing prospect.
The rest of the card is tough, particularly the big field handicaps, and I was going around in circles with the Underwriting Exchange Fairyhouse Chase (16:20); any of them could win, but I fancy none of them!
Published at 09:02 BST on 06/04/26
Randox Grand National features and previews
- How to pick the Grand National winner and how different is the race now?
- The best Grand National performances on Timeform ratings
- Grand National fences: How they've shaped the race
- JockeyBox: Willie and Patrick Mullins reflections
- Simon Holt: The story of Spanish Steps
- John Ingles: Remembering Red Marauder's remarkable win in the mud
- Who are the main British hopes?
- 2026 Grand National preview podcast
- Dan Skelton: My Aintree squad
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