Emmet Mullins and Donagh Meyler teamed up to easily win the Irish Grand National with Soldier In Milan. The Grand National at Aintree now takes centre stage with confirmations for the big race having been made.
Find out more in today’s racing news round-up for Tuesday with GG.
Soldier In Milan thrashes rivals in Irish Grand National
Soldier In Milan turned the Irish Grand National into a procession at Fairyhouse. Backed into favourite before the off, Emmet Mullins’ charge stormed clear for a 16-length triumph under Donagh Meyler. The seven-year-old had won one of his first four chase starts. However, he had failed to break through in Graded company until this success. The well-backed JP McManus-owned Showurapreciation was second, with The Enabler third for Gordon Elliott. (BBC)
Fairyhouse Grade 1s headlined by Fleur In The Park upset
22/1 shot Fleur In The Park caused a significant upset in the Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse on Sunday. The contest was the headline event of the Easter Sunday card. In a dramatic contest, Predators Gold fell late on for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. That left a number of horses fighting out a close finish, with Cian Quirke ultimately getting the best tune out of Fleur In The Park for trainer Andrew Slattery. (Racing Post)
Grand National latest: Confirmations made as Now Is The Hour misses out
Confirmations were made on Monday for the 2026 Grand National at Aintree. 49 horses remained in the contest at the five-day stage, though the maximum field size is 34. Defending champion Nick Rockett and 2024 hero I Am Maximus are both back to attempt to become multiple winners. Meanwhile, Johnnywho joined the JP McManus battalions, as he is now guaranteed a run at number 33 in the list. Twig, for Ben Pauling, is now the last horse in the field. (BBC)
One of the six horses taken out at the Monday stage was Now Is The Hour. Gavin Cromwell’s charge won a stamina-sapping edition of the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January. He then ran a fine race in defeat in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. However, despite being on target for the race, Gavin Cromwell confirmed that Now Is The Hour is out for the season, though both Final Orders and Perceval Legallois were confirmed. (RTE)
Racing figures write to culture secretary
More than 500 figures in the world of racing have signed an open letter to the culture secretary. Writing to Lisa Nandy, the figures signed off a letter expressing deep concern over the potential impact of affordability checks. There are fears that said measures could lose the sport as much as £250 million. Frictionless affordability checks have been trialled without much success so far. (Racing Post)