Irish Grand National 2026 Tips - Willie's novice can challenge at Fairyhouse
As betting markets open for the 2026 Irish Grand National, C'Est Ta Chance emerges as a strong contender. Known for excelling in fences under Willie Mullins' tutelage, this novice has showcased promising potential. Significant wins, like the Pierce Molony Memorial Chase, highlight C'Est Ta Chance's impressive form. With JJ Slevin likely to ride, and factoring in the horse's ability to perform on slower, right-handed courses, it is well positioned to challenge and potentially win this highly anticipated race.
- Ante-post betting tips for the 2026 Irish Grand National
- This famous handicap will be run at Fairyhouse on Monday, April 6th
- C'Est Ta Chance is our early selection at 20/1
Betting markets have officially opened for the 2026 Irish Grand National, which takes place at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.
When going through the initial market, one contender looked especially overpriced to me, so I'm going to stick him up as my ante-post Irish Grand National selection.
2026 Irish Grand National Ante-Post Tips - C'Est Ta Chance
Horses rated in the 140s have an excellent record in the Irish Grand National. Once the likes of I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West and Gerri Colombe come out, then it'll either be Western Fold, Stellar Story of Better Days Ahead carrying top-weight, leaving horses rated 140 carrying around the 11-00 mark.
Four of the last six renewals of this historic handicap have been won by novices. Unlike the British Grand National, entrants don't need to have run over three miles or further to qualify for this gruelling contest, and Willie Mullins' novice C'EST TA CHANCE (20/1) strikes me as the type who will relish this sort of test.
A fairly middle-of-the-road novice hurdler, C'Est Ta Chance has taken his game to a new level since being switched to fences. Willie Mullins' seven-year-old ran OK on his first couple of starts over the winter, before getting off the mark with a perfectly-timed late challenge at Gowran Park, where he beat stablemates Funiculi Funicula and King Alexander, along with Soldier In Milan.
With Paul Townend in the saddle, C'Est Ta Chance ran out a comfortable winner of the Pierce Molony Memorial Chase on the weekend before the Cheltenham Festival. Townend had to stoke his mount up on the final bend at Thurles, but C'Est Ta Chance responded well, forging five lengths clear of some decent rivals after another sound leap at the last.
Once again, Soldier In Milan finished behind C'Est Ta Chance at Thurles, and Emmet Mullins' charge has won himself since, and sits near the head of this betting heat. Mullins' seven-year-old has been rated the same as Soldier Of Milan at 142, despite clocking an RPR of 151 at Thurles, when beating that rival by seven lengths.
C'Est Ta Chance is bred to stay, he's proven on slower ground and both of his wins over fences have come going right-handed. If former winner Intense Raffles doesn't head back to Fairyhouse - and the betting suggests that he won't - then JJ Slevin will jump into C'Est Ta Chance's saddle. He's handicapped well enough to challenge.
Verdict
C'Est Ta Chance is our ante-post selection for the 2026 Irish Grand National.
C'Est Ta Chance
2026 Irish Grand National Ante-Post Tips
@20/1 - 5 Units
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