Irish Grand National Betting Guide 2023: Odds, Tips & Predictions
The 2023 Fairyhouse Easter Festival is now less than a week away, with three action-packed days of racing scheduled for between Saturday 8th and Monday 10th of April. Of course, the jewel in this particular horse racing betting crown is the Irish Grand National, which remains the riches steeplechase in Ireland and will take place on Easter Monday. Make no mistake; Irish Grand National 2023 betting has already got underway, with 64 runners and riders currently expected to compete for a ā¬270,000 winnerās cheque!
In this detailed Irish Grand National betting guide, Iāll take a look at the best sportsbooks for placing wagers and the very latest odds in play!
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2023 Irish Grand National Odds
My Prediction for the Irish Grand National 2023
Irish Grand National RYBO Handicap Hurdle BettingThe RYBO Handicap Hurdle 2023 is a Grade 1 race taking place on the festivalās opening day on Saturday, 8th April. The winner here can back a winnerās cheque of ā¬60,000 on behalf of their trainer. Read on for my full preview! | |
Irish Grand National Gold Cup BettingThe annual Easter meeting at Fairyhouse hosts one of the eventās most coveted races - the Irish Grand National Gold Cup. In this review, Iām going to provide a comprehensive Irish Grand National Gold Cup betting guide, while taking a look at the most likely winners and best value odds! |
The last 11 Irish Grand Nationals have each produced a different winner, including 150/1 shot Freewheeling Dylan in 2021. This makes any kind of accurate and informed Irish Grand National betting predictions difficult to pull off, but there are a few runners who are well-placed to compete in 2023.
Take Gaillard Du Mesnil, for example, who can currently be backed to win at an average price of 10/1 and as high as 11/1 by Betway. While the National will only be his fifth start as a chaser, the six-year-old has youth on his side and has showcased some impressive form at elite level and even finished third in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at the recent Dublin Racing Festival.
He then placed ahead of some serious competition in the Brown Advisory Novicesā Chase (despite trailing behind Lāhomme Presse and Ahoy Senor), and his performance on heavy ground means that he could be set to peak in time for the Irish Grand National. So, Iām backing him to win the 2023 Irish Grand National, ahead of 7/1 favourite āThedevilscoachmanā and last yearsā victor Lord Lariot.
However, the latter two runners will be competitive and offer significant value as each-way bets, with Lord Lariot now available to be backed at an average price of 10/1. If youāre looking to place a small stake on an outright outsider, Stuart Crawfordās āNow Where Or Whenā may offer particular value, with the seasoned eight-year-old in good form and having defied a 30-pound gap in weight to finish an impressive third in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.
Best Irish Grand National Betting Sites by Category
Now that youāve seen the latest Irish grand national betting odds for the 2023 iteration of the race, the question that remains is where should you wager your hard-earned cash? So, before you go picking your prospective Irish grand national winners, hereās a glimpse at the best sports betting sites and what they have to offer! If one of the sites catches your eye be sure to head over to our review page so you can get even more important information before heading over to the official sports betting site.
Betting Brand | Best Betting Site for Feature | How to Get There |
---|---|---|
BoyleSports | Best site overall. | |
Luckster | Best site for odds. | |
Ladbrokes | Best site for features. | |
William Hill | Best site for cash out. | |
Unibet | Best site for live streaming. | |
TonyBet Sports | Best site for welcome offer. |
ā BoyleSports
Where else but to start but with BoyleSports, which remains a true betting behemoth in the Irish marketplace. As we can see, itās also one of the few sportsbooks to have published competitive Irish Grand National odds for every single runner, so it should definitely be among your first ports of call as a punter!
As a new BoyleSports customer, you can also qualify for a generous welcome offer, which comprises ā¬40 in free bets when you make a qualifying wager of ā¬10 or more. The minimum odds requirements in play are 2.00 (or 1/1), so you could place a qualifying bet on the Irish Grand National and then leverage free wagers to back addition winners.
Iām also a huge fan of BoyleSportsā bet calculator feature, which enables you to select various bet types and markets and determine potential returns based on your stake amount!
ā Luckster
Luckster is another sports betting brand thatās breaking the mould in Ireland, while itās currently offering a ā¬10 free bet to new customers when you make a qualifying deposit and wager of at least ā¬10. The qualifying bet must be placed on outcomes with odds of 2.00, once again opening up a huge range of potential Irish Grand National bets!
Horse racing is also considered to be one of the so-called ābig fiveā sports betting markets at Luckster, with the platform renowned for offering highly competitive odds across a broad range of ante post and in-play wagers.
So, although Luckster may lack the longevity or reputation of brands such as BoyleSports and Ladbrokes, the site offers value to horse racing punters and is the ideal place to bet on he 2023 Irish Grand National!
ā Ladbrokes
Ladbrokes is synonymous with sports betting and for a good reason, and like BoyleSports is a true giant of the Irish and UK markets. Itās also another that has put horse racing wagering at the forefront of its sports betting platform, with races like the Irish Grand National underpinning a number of markets and targeted promotions.
For example, Ladbrokes is known to offer āExtra Place Racesā for high-profile meetings such as the Irish Grand National, while it also commits to delivering guaranteed odds for its punters in order to ensure they get the most for their hard-earned money.
B also like Ladbrokesā āBet Filterā feature, which makes it easy to search for specific odds ranges, course and distance winner, in order to help identify runners that offer the best value! So, if youāre looking for a sportsbook for wagering on the Irish Grand National, Ladbrokes could well be the site for you!
ā William Hill
Like Ladbrokes, William Hill is huge player in the Irish and UK markets, and one thatās also renowned for delivering beneficial features such as āBet Boostsā. These are made available across selected horse races, while they provide enhanced odds on runners and also unlock additional places for each-way betting.
On a similar note, William Hill is also considered to offer some of the most competitive odds around, while these are often guaranteed and sure to deliver optimal value. The site also benefits from a generous and accessible āCash Outā feature, while William Hillās live streaming platform is one of the busiest around!
If youāre a new William Hill customer, you can also qualify for ā¬30 in free bets when you place a qualifying wager of ā¬10 or higher. The qualifying bet must be placed on outcomes with odds of 1.50 or greater, so it offers a great entry point into an Irish Grand National wager!
ā Unibet
Interestingly, Unibet's current welcome offer is even more rewarding, with a qualifying wager of ā¬10 earning you up to ā¬40 in free bets. These can be deployed across both ante post and in-play betting markets, including those associated with the Irish Grand National.
Unibet is also considered a true in-play and live stream specialists, with live wagering and micro betting available across hundreds of markets and sports categories including horse racing. Unibet also provides generous cash out options across all of its markets, which means that you retain close control of your bankroll at all times.
Unibet also runs a popular āFree Bet Clubā, which enables you to qualify for a complimentary ā¬10 in-play wager when you place five or more ā¬10 live bets every single week. This is ideal if you like to wager frequently, while it could unlock some additional funds ahead of the 2023 Irish Grand National!
ā TonyBet Sports
Iāll close with Tonybet Sports, which is another relative newcomer to Irelandās competitive and fast-growing sports betting market. Currently, itās also offering a highly competitive welcome offer which comprises a 100% deposit match up to ā¬100, which is a compelling reason to sign up with the brand ahead of the Irish Grand National.
Interestingly, TonyBet Sports has only recently begun to cater to horse racing punters, which is why it has yet to integrate a live streaming feature. However, you can bet freely on the Irish Grand National through the site, while leveraging the generous welcome offer to access a number of free bets on multiple runners as you see fit.
The site has also developed a competitive and early āCash Outā feature, while TonyBet Sports often looks to compete aggressively with its more established rivals by offering highly competitive and guaranteed odds.
Irish Grand National 2023 Betting Markets
Now, Iām going to take a look at the most popular Irish Grand National betting markets, which encompass a huge range of bet types and outcomes. Hereās a breakdown and explanation of the four most commonly deployed wager types!
- The Single Win Bet: Weāll start with the single most popular bet, which requires you to select just one runner to win a particular race. Here, youāll place your entire stake on the horse in question coming first and winning the Irish Grand National, and any other placing will ensure that your wager fails. Typically, this type of wager is challenging in a busy and hotly contested event such as the National, while National Hunt races and steeplechases are harder to predict due to the presence of difficult hurdles.
Top Tip: Weād recommend that you donāt invest too much of your bankroll backing straight winners, as the Irish Grand National is incredibly hard to call with any degree of accuracy.
- The Accumulator Bet: With multiple races running over the course of the three-day meeting, you may well be tempted to place an accumulator bet at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. This can feature anywhere between four and 20 selections within a single wager on average, including the Irish Grand National, the RYBO Handicap Hurdle and the Grade 1 TUE Gold Cup. Odds are calculated cumulatively from your selections, creating extended prices and potentially larger returns.
Top Tip: You should aim to limit the number of selections in your acca bet to no more than six, while itās better to opt for short-price runners that incrementally increase your chances of winning.
- The Place and Show Bets: Place and show bets are very popular in races such as the Irish Grand National, as they enable you to profit even in instances where your selected winners donāt win. With a place bet, your horse will need to finish first or second, while a show wager requires your runners to come home in first, second or third. Show bets arguably offer a little more value, particularly for risk-averse punters who are seeking incremental returns that are as risk-free as possible.
Top Tip: These wagers afford you an opportunity to back contenders and slight outsiders rather than short-price favourites, with this type of runner renowned for doing quite well in the Irish Grand National.
- The Each-Way Bet: Each-way bets are similar to place wagers, although in this case youāll effectively split your stake between backing a horse to win and place in the top four. So, if you wager Ā£1 on a particular runner, Ā£0.50 will be placed on a win and the remaining Ā£0.50 will back a placed finish. Both eventualities payout at a reduced price in relation to the advertised odds, but youāre effectively increasing your chances of recouping some of your stake.
Top Tip: Similar to place bets, each-way wagers are ideal when backing fancied outsiders to race well and finish in the top four. Just remember that your total stake is split between the two potential outcomes, so youāll need to commit the right amount to optimise value.
Irish Grand National 2023 Betting Tips
Once youāve identified your preferred bet types and the latest Irish Grand National betting offers, you can begin to develop a viable wagering strategies and identify the best value markets. To help provide further guidance, here are some Irish Grand National betting tips for 2023!
Bet on Multiple Horses
Many of the bet types referenced above involve you combining multiple selections in a single wager, with accumulator bets offering the best example. Similarly, you can place a number of standalone single bets across the several different races scheduled to take place at Fairyhouse in 2023, as you look to distribute your bankroll sensibly and achieve the best return on your stake money. If you are looking to bet on multiple race winners in a single wager at the Fairyhouse meeting, consider looking at sportsbooks that provide acca insurance or deliver price boosts for such selections.
Consider Each-Way Bets
Another popular bet type is each-way wagering, which as Iāve already touched on, requires you to split your stake between betting on a runner to win and place in the top four (of five, depending on any extra place promotions that may be in place). This is ideal when identifying proven and durable runners who have experience of similar course lengths, while it provides some insurance in the case that your win bet is unsuccessful. In short, it increases your chance of recouping at least some of your stake as a punter!
Look at the Jockey
In some cases, the rider is almost as important as the runner, with history showing that jockeys like the legendary Pat Taaffe (who won the Irish Grand National six times between 1954 and 1966) were capable of riding even less fancied horses to success at the Fairyhouse course. Although the last 10 nationals have all been won by different jockeys, itās always worth reviewing each riderās history and their career performances both at Fairyhouse and similar steeplechase events in the UK.
Look at the Trainer
On a similar note, Iād also recommend checking out the trainers involved and identifying stables that have the best record of success at Fairyhouse and the Irish Grand National. For example, Dermot McLoughlin has won the last two Irish Grand Nationals with rank outsiders, namely Freewheelin Dylan (150/1) and Lord Lariat (40/1), the latter of which is also poised to compete in 2023. Clearly, he knows how to prepare a runner for this stellar race, while similarly established National Hunt trainers including Willie Mullins and Jessica Harrington have also won here in the last decade.
Check the Previous Winners
Checking a runnersā form remains a key staple of successful horse racing betting, while Iād recommend reviewing the previous Irish Grand National winners to see if any contenders have a track record of success at Fairyhouse. Of course, weāve seen 11 different winners in 11 races since 2011, but last yearsā surprise winner Lord Lariat is running once again in 2023 and can be backed at a much shorter starting price. So, this talented eight-year-old may offer particular value as an each-way bet this year, as he has experience and a proven track record of success over the course.
Top Free Bets Offers for the Irish Grand National 2023
By now, you may have an idea of how to identify the key Irish Grand National runners and those who are most likely to compete for first place in 2023. So, the next step is to consider the best Irish Grand National betting offers, which will help you to unlock generous deposit matches and free bets. Hereās my take on the market leading and best betting sites for Irish Grand National offers!
Betting Site | Offer | Claim |
---|---|---|
Labrokes | Get ā¬20 in free bets when you wager ā¬5 | Visit Ladbrokes |
TonyBet Sports | Claim a 100% Deposit Match up to ā¬100 | Visit TonyBet |
Luckster | Bet ā¬10 and earn a ā¬10 free bet | Visit Luckster |
Unibet | Bet ā¬10 and earn ā¬40 in free bets | Visit Unibet |
BoyleSport | Bet ā¬10 and get ā¬40 in Free Bets | Visit BoyleSports |
William Hill | Bet ā¬10 and earn ā¬30 in Free Bets | Visit William Hill |
The Irish Grand National Format
Featuring a maximum of 64 runners, the 2023 Irish Grand National is the latest iteration of this Grade 1, National Hunt Steeplechase. Itās contested on Easter Monday over a challenging distance of approximately three miles and five furlongs, while the runners will have to contend with 24 fences if theyāre to prevail. The Irish equivalent of the UK Grand National (which takes place the following week), this race is the richest steeplechase in Ireland and will see the winner claim a cheque worth ā¬270,000 from a total prize fund of ā¬500,000. This is also one of 23 races that will take place over three hectic days of action!
Irish Grand National Schedule 2023
The three-day Fairyhouse meeting features 23 stellar races as usual in 2023, including the Ā£100,000 RYBO Handicap Hurdle and the Mares Novices Hurdle Championship Final (in addition to the Irish Grand National). Iāve listed a detailed race card for each of these days below, so that you can plan your trip (if youāre lucky enough to be going) and pencil in the races that matter to you!
Saturday, April 8th 2023
Time | Race |
---|---|
2:10 | Tom Quinlan Maiden Hurdle |
2:45 | low.ie Memorial Huntersā Chase |
3:20 | BoyleSports Maresā Chase (Listed) |
3:55 | Fred Kenny National Handicap Chase |
4:30 | INH Dtallion Owners Novicesā Handicap Hurdle Series Final (Grade B) |
5:05 | RYBO Handicap Hurdle (Grade A) |
5:40 | Irish Stallion Mares Flat Race (Listed) |
5:15 | At Arctic Tack Stud (Pro/Am) Flat Race |
Easter Sunday, April 9th 2023 (Gold Cup Day)
Time | Race |
---|---|
1:25 | Ryanās CleaningMaiden Hurdle |
2:00 | Cawley Furniture Novice Handicap Hurdle |
2:35 | Irish Stallion Farms Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) |
3:10 | Paddy Kehoe Mares Novices Hurdle Championship Final (Grade 1) |
3:45 | CafƩ En Seine Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) |
4:20 | BoyleSports Novice Handicap Chase (Grade B) |
4:55 | Willowwarm Gold Cup Novice Chase (Grade 1) |
5:30 | Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper |
Easter Monday, April 10th 2023 (Irish Grand National Day)
Time | Race |
---|---|
2:05 | Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle |
2:40 | Donohue Marquees Studs Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) |
3:15 | Fairyhouse Steel Handicap Hurdle |
3:50 | Rathberry and Glenview Studs Hurdle (Grade 2) |
4:20 | McInerney Properties Fairyhouse Chase (Grade 2) |
5:00 | BoyleSports Irish Grand National (Grade A/1) |
5:40 | The Beautybasket.ie Handicap Chase |
6:10 | Leinster Reinforcements & Brazil Piling (Pro/Am) |
The Irish Grand National History
While the Irish Grand National grew out of humble beginnings in 1870, it has evolved into the richest steeplechase in Ireland over the subsequent 123 years. Few could have imagined this when a horse called Sir Robert Peel won the first ever iteration of the race, which also took place at the now iconic Fairyhouse venue!
Even the early iterations of the Fairyhouse Festival featured an Easter Monday fixture, which quickly became a national hit and widely attended by people throughout Ireland and the UK. This action-packed day of racing became affectionately known as the āDubsā Day Outā, with the Irish Grand National at the front and centre of this meeting!
As Iāve already touched on, Pat Taaffe is the raceās most successful ever jockey in the raceās history, with six wins recorded in the middle of the 20th century. However, the Irish Grand National remains an incredibly difficult race to win, while only a select few runners have claimed the coveted double of the Irish and UK Grand Nationals. These include Ascetic Silver (who first accomplished this back in 1906), Bobbyjo and Numbersixvalverde, whoās the most recent winner to do one of the sportās most spectacular doubles!
The lucrative nature of the race is largely the result of sponsorship, with a number of brands lending their name to the race in recent years. The current sponsor of the race is the market leading Irish sportsbook BoyleSports, who contribute heavily to the raceās impressive and constantly growing prize fund of ā¬500,000!
Your FAQs Answered
Before I bring this betting guide to a close, Iām going to answer some of your most frequently asked questions. Hopefully, this will help to fill any remaining gaps in knowledge and summarise the content included in the above guide!
What is the prize money in the Irish Grand National?
The total prize fund for the 2023 Irish Grand National is ā¬500,000, with the winning runner, rider and trainer claiming a winnerās cheque worth ā¬270,000.
How do I bet on Irish Grand National races?
To wager on the Irish Grand National, youāll first need to review the latest form of competing runners and riders. Iād also recommend reviewing historical information such as previous winners, before leveraging Irish Grand National betting offers to achieve the best value for money. You may also want to consider matched betting in the Irish Grand National, especially when leveraging offers that included free wagers!
Is there a minimum bet at Irish Grand National?
There are no fixed minimum bets on the Irish Grand National, unless youāre looking to qualify for selected welcome offers. For example, most free bet and deposit match promotions require you to make a qualifying wager or deposit of ā¬10, while you should also note that there are minimum odds requirements in play when dealing with most offers.
What horse should I bet on Irish Grand National?
Iāve made my Irish Grand National prediction above, but youāll need to carry out your own review of the form and statistics before placing your own bet. Remember, this is a notoriously difficult race to call, so donāt be afraid to use each-way bets to minimise your risk of loss and potentially recoup some of your stake.
Where to bet on the Irish Grand National?
You can bet on the Irish Grand National at any of the recommended sportsbooks above. Just be sure to check out their latest offers and associated T&Cs before committing, while Iād also urge you to check out the latest bookmakers reviews at Betinireland to help inform your choice.