TEMPLEGATE takes on the Irish Grand National hoping he can pick a winner here and back it up at Aintree in two weeks’ time.
Here, our top tipster goes through each runner one by one, rates them out of five stars (with five being the best) and reveals his pick at the bottom.
AFPWill Mullins be adding another trophy to his collection at Fairyhouse on Monday?[/caption]
The big race is off at 5pm on Easter Monday live from Fairyhouse.
Templegate’s Irish Grand National runner-by-runner guide
MINELLA COCOONER 2
MIN won’t win. Didn’t seem to stay in the Leinster National after travelling well and he’ll get similar testing conditions here. He’s lightly raced for his age but stamina has to be a worry.
CHURCHSTONEWARRIOR 3
CHURCH has a prayer. Has been running in hot races with little success but was a Grade 2 winner at Navan last season and looks a thorough stayer. This is his first crack at a handicap and his mark isn’t too harsh. Could hit the frame.
NICK ROCKETT 5
ROCK on. Has run just three times over fences and not done much wrong including when a close second in a Navan Grade 2 in the mud last time. The handicapper has been fair with his opening mark and conditions are ideal. Can go very close for Willie Mullins.
FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU 3
COULD be Champ. Was a smart hurdler and beat Flooring Porter in the Florida Pearl over fences at Punchestown in November. He shapes like he’ll stay and handles soft ground. Can’t be written off.
SENIOR CHIEF 4
HAIL the Chief. Improving chaser who landed a game novice win at Punchestown . Shapes like a marathon will suit, likes it heavy and is open to improvement. Looks an ideal type for this challenge.
ANY SECOND NOW 3
NOW or never. Was second in the 2022 Grand National but only pulled up in it last year and has struggled a bit this season. This challenge should be ideal and he has a fair weight so could bounce back.
INTENSE RAFFLES 4
RAFFLES a winner. Has won both starts for Thomas Gibney since arriving from France in small fields here. He stayed last time on soft and jumps for fun. Is only six so can take another step forward and on the shortlist.
YEAH MAN 4
OH Yeah. Finished strongly in the mud to win the Haydock Grand National Trial last time from some useful rivals. A 7lb rise is fair and he handles conditions. Can go close.
DIOL KER 1
DON’T Ker. Was tenth in this two years ago and his form has dipped since then. Struggled in the Leinster National last time.
DUNBOYNE 2
DUN in. Been struggling to get round and pulled up in last year’s Aintree National. Was fourth in last year’s Kim Muir from 4lb higher and needs to find that form.
HARTUR D’ARC 4
TAKE Hart. Nice win over 3m1f on handicap debut at Naas last time when jumping well. Seemed to have plenty in the tank and a 9lb rise in the weights gives him a chance.
FRONTAL ASSAULT 3
UP Front. Best run for a while when fourth in Leinster National at Naas and 1lb lower today. Stays well and hit the frame here before Christmas. One of the top outsiders.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN 3
ALL in. Distant fourth in the Kim Muir at this year’s Festival after a good win in the mud at Punchestown. Is 12lb higher than that but should stay and worth a look with the extra place bookies.
COOL SURVIVOR 2
COOL it. No show in the Kim Muir last time when fancied on the back of a solid run at Leopardstown. Best form over a bit shorter.
GOOD TIME JONNY 3
TIME to shine. Useful hurdler who has hinted at promise over fences but yet to deliver. Looks on a low mark for a canny trainer and has been backed so could improve here.
STREET VALUE 2
LITTLE Value. Landed a Listed prize here in December but has struggled to finish since. Returning to this track needs to work wonders.
DAILY PRESENT 3
PRESENT no gift. Fair fifth in the Kim Muir after a muddy win at Down Royal. Shapes like trip will be fine and is back from the same mark. Place hope if finding his best.
ROYAL THIEF 1
ROYAL rumbled. Hasn’t shown much for a while now and was hammered again at Limerick latest. Down the weights but hard to fancy.
WE’LLHAVEWAN 3
WAN to watch. Won well at Navan in December before a decent second to Where It All Began at Punchestown last time. Won’t be much between them again.
WHERE’S FRANKIE 4
FAB Frankie. Relished the marathon when scoring at Leopardstown on soft last time and an 8lb rise is fair. Will relish conditions and has won here before so solid place claims.
HISTORY OF FASHION 1
HE’S History. Bit of a plodder who was well held at Naas last time. Won’t have any trouble staying but others will do it quicker.
Templegate’s Irish Grand National tip
NICK a few quid off the bookies in the Irish Grand National.
Willie Mullins can continue his stellar season with NICK ROCKETT.
He is an improving young chaser who should relish this trip. Intense Raffles, Yeah Man and Senior Chief look the main dangers.
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