2025 Irish Grand National: Trend-Backed Contenders to Follow

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The BoyleSports Irish Grand National is one of the toughest staying handicap chases in the calendar. Run over 3m5f at Fairyhouse, it requires stamina, grit, and a touch of class. With a 33-runner field in 2025, finding the winner can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But trends tell a story. By fusing ten-year historical data from HorseRaceBase with Timeform insights and the TimeWise method, we can narrow things down smartly.

Here are the horses that tick the right boxes based on key trends:




Key Trends Over the Last 10 Years

Age: 6-7-year-olds dominate. 8-year-olds are borderline; older horses have poor records.

Official Rating: Sweet spot is 135-139. Horses rated 140+ are just 3 from 118.

Weight: Horses carrying between 10-6 and 10-9 perform best.

Days Since Run: 16-60 days is ideal. Fresh but not rusty.

SP Range: 9/2 to 8/1 is gold. Longshots do win but rarely.

Stamina: Most winners had already scored over 3m+. Experience at extreme trips is a big plus.





Top Profiled Contenders

Kinturk Kalanisi (9/1)

A 7yo carrying 10-7 off a mark of 135: that’s bullseye territory. He was still going well when unseating in the Leinster National and has been progressing steadily this season. Acts on soft, likely to stay, and fits every key trend.

Haiti Couleurs (7/1)

Progressive 8yo with serious form in staying chases, including a win in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. Carries 10-13 off 141, which is just about forgivable given how well he stays and jumps. The kind of improving chaser who can defy the weight stats.

Now Is The Hour (7/1)

Another 8yo who was running a huge race in the NH Chase before falling. Lightly raced and clearly unexposed at marathon trips. Ticks the trend boxes on weight, rating, and prep. Patience and class – a potent mix.

Will Do (18/1)

3rd in the NH Chase at Cheltenham and has been ultra-consistent. Only rated 131 and carries 10-3 – an excellent combo for this race. Stays all day and trained by Gordon Elliott, whose overall Grand National record may be poor but this individual looks well placed.

Daily Present (18/1)

Kim Muir winner at Cheltenham. A solid stayer with a winning mentality and a great weight (10-9) off a mark of 137. That puts him squarely in the sweet spot and he arrives in peak form.

Dunboyne (33/1)

Revived since switching yards, landing back-to-back wins including the Ulster National. He’s a known monkey, but he’s also in the form of his life and looks very well treated off 127. If you can forgive his past quirks, he’s a fascinating outsider.




Verdict

With trends on our side, Kinturk Kalanisi stands out as the most complete profile fit, while Haiti Couleurs and Now Is The Hour are dangerous classy types that may just defy weight stats. Will Do and Daily Present look like solid place players, and Dunboyne is the big-priced dark horse who could light up the tote.

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