All the major high street bookies are now taking antepost bets on next Monday’s Irish Grand National, to be run at Fairyhouse over 3m5f. The ground is currently described as ‘good to yielding’.

The biggest priced winner of the race in the last 5 year’s was Mouse Morris’ Hear The Echo at 33/1 (sadly collapsed on Saturday), but we’ll take a look at the first ten in the betting to see if they merit their prices.

9/1 Wichita Lineman

The last time Jonjo O’Neill raided Ireland was Exotic Dancer in the 2008 Lexus Chase. Wichita Lineman is the 4th top weight, but is still the antepost favourite. The McCoy (pictured on Binocular) factor is certainly at play, but he is a proven stayer. Prone to the odd blunder, so the odds may be more rewarding in-running.

10/1 Emma Jane

Surprisingly Willie Mullins has never won this race. Could be well handicapped at 9-12, she beat Southern Vic and Chelsea Harbour at Naas last time out. She should stay the trip and will certainly be shorter on the day if Ruby is on board. Will appreciate good ground.

10/1 Royal County Star

Tony Martin’s 2008 runner-up in this race is 6lbs higher this year and only one 10 year old has won since 1998. That’s no reason to overlook him, and he should run a big race on good ground. David Casey is on board, but the stable is in dreadful form.

He was travelling so well last year that he was matched at 1.25, but he didn’t really stay the trip.

11/1 Notre Pere

Many fancied Notre Pere for the Gold Cup and Grand National after winning the Welsh National and then running a creditable 2nd to Neptune Collonges in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. He faces a stiff task off top weight (11-12), but remember he beat favourite Mon Mome at Chepstow!

12/1 Arbor Supreme

Has already won over course and distance last November and is another one for JP McManus. Beaten by One Cool Cookie last time out.

12/1 Pomme Tiepy

In from 16s, but the last 6 year old to win was Rhyme ‘n’ Reason in 1985. Beaten favourite on her last three runs.

14/1 Rare Bob

4th in this year’s Moriaty Chase – behind the likes of Cooldine and Forpadydeplasterer. Unraced beyond 3m, but this novice jumps well.

14/1 Garde Champetre

Nina Carberry is on board but the horse’s best form is over the Cheltenham cross country course.

14/1 Casey Jones

I backed him in the RSA Chase, in which he almost ran into the places. Has the stamina to run a big race on Monday.

14/1 Drumconvis

Another for Tony Martin, Drumconvis was 2nd to Tricky Trickster at the Festival. Beaten 20 lengths by Casey Jones at Leopardstown in December, but I prefer him to Royal County Star at the weights.

And finally one at a crazy price…..

100/1 Battle Axe

Only carries 9 stone. He beat the smart J’y Vole in his last race but is still available at a giant 100/1 with William Hill. May not stay the trip.

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing Irish Racing odds

Irish Grand National Betting

Irish 1000 Guineas Betting

Irish 2000 Guineas Betting

The race is a Grade 3 steeplechase run over 3m5 1/2f that features the true stayers, many of whom have lofty ambitions for the Grand National at Aintree. With 20 forecast runners, I’m looking for a plodder who’ll revel in the soft ground and will hopefully fill in one of the 4 places offered by the UK bookmakers. Let’s have a look at the top of the betting to see if any of them are worthy of our hard-earned cash.

11/2 Nenuphar Collonges

Is in great form and has been ‘crying out’ for a test of stamina. Won a Grade 1 at the Festival and I have made no secret before on this blog that I am happy for Choc Thornton to carry my money to victory. He’ll carry 10-6 which may be too much.

6/1 Mon Mome

I’m really interested in this one for Venetia Williams as he is well in the weights according to the figures after his recent win at the Boylesports Cheltenham meeting. He battled on well to beat Star de Mohaison that day and came 10th in the 2008 National behind Comply or Die. The jockey claims 3lb, so this looks like a decent bet going by the form.

9/1 High Chimes

Kept on well in the Hennessy, which should see him in good nick for this test. The current mark is a bit of a concern, but I was at Ascot last Friday to see Deep Purple win a promising chase for the same trainer-jockey combo. Will love the ground and should be considered.

10/1 Officier de Reserve

The Pricewise antepost selection is one for the Nicholls-Walsh team. I told you how there were doubts emerging about the recent performance of the Paul Nicholls yard, but Kauto Star and Nozic both hosed up on Boxing Day. This horse looks unexposed, but I don’t think it’s up to this test.

10/1 Notre Pere

Stays well on the ground but isn’t on an ideal mark, meaning that I’m looking elsewhere. Was a creditable 3rd in the Irish National this year.

10/1 Halcon Genelardais

2006 winner will be partnered again by Wayne Hutchinson. Top weight is a huge burden but he didn’t seem to mind too much when losing the 2007 edition by a head, when he arguably would’ve won had it not been for a mistake at the last fence. 10/1 is a great price for a horse that was 4th in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

13/1 Miko De Beauchene

Won it last year but to be honest I’d rather be on Halcon because Miko will be 17lb worse off this time. Could grab a place at best.

Of those running at big prices I like Cornish Sett at 33/1 – partnered by the capable Nick Scholfield who claims 5lb. The horse ran well in the National this year until the final few fences and won a decent race at Wincanton last time out.

Recommendation:

1pt win 6/1 Mon Mome

1pt each way 33/1 Cornish Sett

Welsh National Betting

Lexus Chase (Sunday)