The winner of the 2022 Irish Grand National will pocket €270,000 for their connections.
The total prize pot is €500,000, with a fifth of that going to the runner-up.
Gaillard Du Mesnil looks set to go off favourite for trainer Willie Mullins and will be partnered by Paul Townend, while Rachael Blackmore's mount Full Time Score is also expected to be popular with punters.
Paddy Power spokesperson Rachael Kane said: "We expect punters to back Rachael Blackmore off the boards as she attempts to make it fifth time lucky on Full Time Score in the Irish Grand National for trainer Henry De Bromhead.
"She’s currently 7/1 second favourite in the betting behind the Willie Mullins trained Gaillard Du Mesnil (13/2). But if she wins, it will cost bookmakers a seven-figure sum. And considering the scorching streak she’s on at the moment, it wouldn’t surprise us in the least if we end up getting burned by her…again!"
Lawrence Lyons, Spokesperson for BoyleSports commented: “We’re anticipating record levels of turnover on Easter Monday and with his connections, Gaillard Du Mesnil is sure to be very popular with punters on the day. He has been competing in esteemed company all season and has been very well backed in the week leading up to the race, so that wouldn’t be the best result for our books.”
William Hill’s Tony Kenny, added: “As the bets begin to flow in for Easter Monday’s Irish Grand National, it’s no surprise to see a fair bit of interest in Rachael Blackmore’s mount Full Time Score. It’s slightly too early to tell just how hot this one will be in the betting, but whenever Rachael rides in these big races with wider public interest you can almost guarantee it will be a loser for the bookies.
“With the added bonus of ITV coverage in the UK, some familiar names returning from the Grand National at Aintree and a tempting seven places on offer with William Hill, we could see a record turnover for this year’s race.”
Meanwhile, Ciaran Murphy is hoping fortune favours Enjoy D’allen when he looks to bounce back from an early Aintree fall at Fairyhouse.
The gelding was a 20-1 shot for Aintree and became an intriguing prospect for racing fans as he was purchased by JP McManus, one of the sport’s most high-profile owners, in March.
“It was horrendous bad luck at Aintree – we just couldn’t believe it had happened,” said Murphy.
“He jumped the fence perfectly, but he caught his front foot with his hind toe and just shot Connor (Orr) out of the saddle. It was just a one in a million thing and was unfortunate it happened that day.
“We just have to draw a line under it.”
Enjoy D’allen kept on well to be a four-and-a-half-length third to shock winner Freewheelin Dylan in the Irish National last year and Murphy hopes he is in similar form, despite carrying 6lb more this time.
“He will go there fresh. If he can produce that level again, we would love to think we might be in the shake-up,” added Murphy.
Matthew Smith saddles Ronald Pump, who was beaten half a length by Diol Ker, who reopposes, in the Leinster National at Naas last time.
Runner-up to Lisnagar Oscar in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2020, he has had just four runs over fences and will be ridden by 7lb claimer Liam McKenna.
Smith said: “We are looking forward to it. We never had any expectations the last day. It was a mixture of delight and frustration in that he didn’t manage to hold on, but we were delighted with the run.
“He seems in good form and fingers crossed for a clear run around and a good run.
“Liam gave him a good ride the last day and he gets on well with him.
“He claims 7lb as well which will be a help. If he gets a clear round and jumps cleanly, hopefully that 7lb will make a difference.
“He is not ground dependent. He has won on good ground and has won at the Easter meeting before at the track. He has won three times around Fairyhouse, including his beginners’ chase, and he likes the track.
“Like all of them, he will need a bit of luck.”
Gordon Elliott is responsible for no fewer than 11 of the runners, with Navan Troytown Handicap Chase runner-up Farclas heading his powerful team.
Farclas will be ridden by 5lb claimer Shane Fitzgerald, with Davy Russell on Mount Ida, who unseated at the first at Aintree, while Jack Kennedy teams up with Frontal Assault – a horse yet to win over fences.
Elliott enjoyed a winner at Fairyhouse on Sunday and outlined his thoughts on his leading hopes.
He said: “Fakir D’alene is in good form and ran very well in Cheltenham. Harry (Swan) will take a valuable 7lb off him. I think he can run well.
“The more rain that falls the better for Frontal Assault. I fancied him at Cheltenham and he made a mistake at the wrong time. He’s in good form as well and will wear blinkers for the first time over fences.
“Floueur has an engine but is a bit novicey jumping. If he jumps, he’ll have a chance.
“Death Duty won a Grand National Trial in Punchestown but he ran in the English National last week and obviously it’s a worry after only running last week.
“Mount Ida only got to the first at Aintree and if she gets into it after the first mile, she’ll run well.
“Farclas hasn’t had the greatest preparation. We missed a bit of work with him about 10 days ago but he’s in good form at home. He’ll like nice ground.
“Run Wild Fred was second in it last year and is in good form.
“We’ll see what happens with the weather and what the ground is going to be like in the morning.”
Here's the prize money for the 2022 Irish Grand National:
1st: €270,000
2nd:€100,000
3rd:€50,000
4th:€25,000
5th:€15,000
6th:€10,000
7th: €7,500
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