Irish Grand National 2026: Weights, Runners and Who to Back This Monday

Four days. The Irish Grand National is this Monday at Fairyhouse and the weights are now published. With 45 horses holding entries for a maximum field of 30, the scratchings process over the next 72 hours will define exactly who lines up at 17:00 on Easter Monday — and Monday also happens to be the day of the next Grand National scratchings stage for Aintree, which means connections of dual entries will be forced to show their hand. That dynamic makes this weekend the most active market-watching period of the entire National Hunt season. The Weights Better Days Ahead heads the handicap at 154 off 11st 12lb — the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding was sixth in last year's renewal and represents one of Elliott's principal hopes in his bid to retain the Irish trainers' title. The antepost market leader The Jukebox Kid carries 11st 2lb off a mark of 144. Ben Pauling's novice won the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot in February and the Irish handicapper shaved just 2lb off his British mark — the handicapper's own words confirmed he may still be leniently treated at 144. C'Est Ta Chance carries 11st off 142 for Willie Mullins, seeking a hat-trick after wins at Thurles and in the Grade 3 feature there in March. The key weight to note for value purposes sits in the middle of the field. Horses carrying 10st 8lb or less have dominated the winner's enclosure historically — they appear from position 18 downward on the weights list, and the runners who fit that bracket alongside the age profile of six to eight years old are the ones worth targeting for each-way purposes. The Aintree Dilemma The most significant factor shaping Monday's field is the Aintree Grand National five days later on April 11th. Grangeclare West, Johnnywho, and several other leading Irish contenders hold dual entries for both races. Their connections face the choice of running fresh at Fairyhouse on Monday or preserving them for Aintree on Saturday. Declarations on Friday will confirm who stays at Fairyhouse — and those confirmations will sharpen the market significantly. Watch for jockey bookings alongside declarations: a confirmed booking from Paul Townend, Jack Kennedy or Mark Walsh tells you where Mullins' and the McManus operation's real confidence lies. Key Contenders The Jukebox Kid is the market leader and deserves the position. Three wins from four chase starts, the Reynoldstown form is directly relevant, and the handicapper's own hint that 144 may be lenient adds to the appeal. C'Est Ta Chance is the hat-trick seeker and arrives with Mullins' confidence — he thrives on this type of ground in these conditions. Western Fold, a Galway Plate winner, is prominent in the middle of the market at weights that suit. The Enabler, coincidentally the half-brother of Even Tho whose recent Limerick win we covered, brings staying credentials that fit the race profile. Horse Racing Oracle AI Selection Horse Racing Oracle AI will publish its Irish Grand National selection once final declarations are confirmed on Friday. The system will analyse all confirmed runners' age, weight, going preference, course form and trainer targeting patterns before identifying the selection where the data alignment is strongest. Watch the daily blog — the tip will be live before the market moves on Friday. Want free AI-powered tips every morning? Sign up free at horseracingoracleai.com → Betting involves risk. Please gamble responsibly. Visit BeGambleAware.org.