2009 Irish Grand National Preview

The 2009 Irish Grand National will be run on Monday the 13th of April at Fairyhouse racecourse in Dublin.

Following the shock result at the Aintree Grand National, where 100-1 outsider Mon Mome beat several fancied entries with ease, punters are likely to be wary of how they bet on the Irish National.

There has been much speculation over whether or not Jim Dreaper’s Notre Pere will run in the Irish Grand National, not because the Welsh National winner is regarded as a serious contender, but because as the top weight entry his withdrawal will affect weights throughout the field.

However, whether or not ground conditions are to Dreaper’s liking on National day is unlikely to change the pecking order in the Irish Grand National betting markets, which are headed by William Hill Trophy winner Wichita Lineman at 9/1.

Punters have not been going overboard in their support for any of the horses in the field, with almost a third of the field priced in the 9/1 – 12/1 range.

How the race unfolds is likely to have much to do with ground conditions, and its likely that an entry with an affinity for faster ground will come out on top after the 3 mile plus trip around Fairyhouse.