Royal County Star heads 2008 Irish Grand National betting markets

The 135th Irish Grand National is set to be run on Easter Monday, as part of the annual Fairyhouse Easter Festival. The 2008 race is set to feature a very strong field, with nearly a dozen Grand National runners looking to claim at title at Fairyhouse.

Antepost betting markets are already active, and with so many runners competing in the 2008 Grand National at Aintree, punters will have ample opportunity to assess the strengths of the different runners. At present the Irish Grand National betting markets have produced no less than three favourites priced under 10-1.

Favourite to take the race is Royal County Star, who is priced 5-1 to take Ireland’s biggest race. Old Benny and Cailin Alainn are both priced at 8-1 Irish Grand National odds, with the next best priced runner Patsy Hall priced at 10-1 by William Hill.

Amongst the long odds favourites expected to make an impact at the race is Grand National defector Beef or Salmon, who was withdrawn from the Aintree race after receiving top weight. The handicapper at Fairyhouse has promised to be gentler with the veteran racehorse, and with reasonable weight Beef or Salmon could be a good Irish Grand National bet at odds of 25-1.