Willie Mullins has a battle on his hands in the UK to be crowned champion trainer for the second year in a row.
A 1-2-3-5-7 in this month's Grand National at Aintree put the Closutton trainer bang in contention with Harry Skelton to be crowned Britain's leading trainer once again.
Captain Cody's Scottish Grand National win last weekend was another massive boost for Mullins, but Skelton has hit back, adding over £30,000 to his tally on Saturday to take his lead to almost £70,000 as he took advantage of a blank day for the Irish handler.
And while Mullins continues to send runners to the UK in the final week of the trainers' championship, he has a big team heading to Fairyhouse as he aims to another National on Easter Monday.
The 68-year-old runs two in the Irish Grand National - Quai De Bourbon, who will be partnered by Paul Townend, and Sa Majeste, who Simon Torrens rides.
Quai De Bourbon was brought down behind Caldwell Potter at Aintree last time out after unseating Patrick Mullins at Cheltenham the time before that.
But novices have a good record in this race and it would be no surprise to see this six-year-old go close for team Mullins, while So Majeste will have to reverse the Cheltenham form with Daily Present and Johnnywho.
So Majeste and Johnnywho are two of six runners in the race for JP McManus and the latter is one that should run a really big race in the famous green and gold silks.
The eight-year-old looked like the winner everywhere in the Kim Muir when beaten a neck by Daily Present and it would be a very popular result if Derek O'Connor was to win the Irish National. Another novice, he looks to have a massive chance.
But it is another McManus runner that could take all the beating - the veteran that is Any Second Now.
He runs in the first colours of the Limerick businessman and will be partnered by the owner's retained rider Mark Walsh.
At 13, Any Second Now is aiming to become the oldest winner of the race since Overshadow in 1953.
He was second behind Intense Raffles in the race last year and has come down in the weights having had only two runs since.
Having also finished second in the 2022 Grand National at Aintree and third in the 2021 renewal, it would be a well-deserved victory if he could get his head in front.
But at a best price of 20/1, he is a super each-way bet, with some firms paying as many as eight places.
Here's a full list of the runners and riders for Monday's race:
- Better Days Ahead Rob James (7)
- Quai De Bourbon Paul Townend
- Johnnywho Derek O'Connor
- Bioluminescence Keith Donoghue
- Harry Des Ongrais Rachael Blackmore
- Duffle Coat Alex Harvey (5)
- Favori De Champdou Danny Gilligan
- Search For Glory Sam Ewing
- Sequestered Jack Gilligan (5)
- Desertmore House JJ Slevin
- Malina Girl Sean Flanagan
- Panda Boy Ricky Doyle
- Yeah Man Kieren Buckley
- Haiti Couleurs Sean Bowen
- Now Is The Hour Conor Stone-Walsh (3)
- Shecouldbeanything Jordan Gainford
- Sa Majeste Simon Torrens
- Any Second Now Mark Walsh
- Lord Lariat Paddy O'Hanlon
- Stuzzikini Gearoid Brouder (3)
- Tullybeg TP Harney (7)
- Daily Present Aidan Kelly (5)
- Mint Boy Kevin Sexton
- Dunboyne Donagh Meyler
- Final Orders Patrck O'Brien (7)
- Kinturk Kalanisi Darragh O'Keeffe
- Bushmans Pass Philip Enright
- Moonovercloon Ben Harvey
- Hasthing Brian Hayes
- Noble Birth Daniel King
Reserves: Another Choice, Will Do, Canal End
Irish Grand National 2025 1-2-3tips:
1st: Any Second Now
2nd: Johnnywho
3rd: Quai De Bourbon
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