Irish Grand National Runners 2026: 45 remain at Fairyhouse for Ireland's big staying handicap

45 horses remain entered for the 2026 Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. The showpiece staying handicap in Ireland takes place every year on Easter Monday, the 6th April.

JP McManus runners dominate line-up

McManus-owned horses Goraibhmaithagat, Showurappreciation and Better Times Ahead do not dominate the betting, but are the leading trio of fancies among seven potential runners in the famous green and gold. The aforementioned McManus trio are trained by three different handler in Colm Murphy, Jonathan Sweeney and Robert Tyner respectively.

British trainers look to repeat 2025 success

One Big Bang and The Jukebox Kid are British-trained hopefuls put forward for the race. The former was a staying on third in the National Hunt Chase, though 16 lengths behind the winner last time out. Nevertheless, he has been dropped 1lb and may not find a handicap blot of that magnitude up against him here.

The Jukebox Kid is not to be confused with The Jukebox Man. Both are trained by Ben Pauling, but the “Kid” has been well-fancied for this race since an excellent jumping display at Ascot in a Grade 2 novice chase.

Also representing the visitors is Newton Tornado for last year’s winning yard. Rebecca Curtis’ yard will need two more to drop out above him in the weights, but he could yet have potential to follow in Haiti Couleurs’ hoofprints.

Mullins responsible for one fifth of entries

In total, nine of the remaining 45 entries belong to Willie Mullins. A further Emmet Mullins-trained runner helps that name to inevitable prominence once again in the Irish National.

Relatively speaking, this has not been a great race for Mullins. He has won it twice, but only claimed it for the first time in 2019 with Burrows Saint. I Am Maximus then obliged in 2023 and he could be mob-handed chasing a third success.

The novices Argento Boy, C’Est Ta Chance and Kiss Will add immediate depth to what could be a substantial Closutton challenge. All three are unexposed, with the former two both having won twice over fences, while Kiss Will is stepping up markedly in trip.

2026 Irish Grand National Runners