Image © Healy Racing
Grangeclare West showcased his 2026 Grand National credentials with a superb victory in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Sunday.
The horse won a point-to-point race at Lingstown in 2020, but has subsequently become a force to be reckoned with in staying chases under Rules.
Trainer Willie Mullins has previously used the BobbyJo Chase as a stepping stone to the big race at Aintree, so this latest victory is undoubtedly noteworthy.
Irish sports bettors will probably be keen to check today’s top betting offers on BettingTop10 to find betting sites in Ireland offering competitive odds on the National.
Grangeclare West is rated as a 12/1 shot to emerge victorious at Aintree and those odds look good value given the manner of his victory.
The horse overcame an error at the final fence to storm clear of Gerri Colombe on the run-in. Jockey Paul Townend was hugely impressed by the horse’s performance.
“He enjoyed himself and got into a nice rhythm,” Townend said. “I thought they went very hard and I was just in my comfort zone everywhere, popping away.
"The last fence is so far back there today that I was anxious not to challenge until we got up to where it normally is, and it probably helped me not winging it and landing upsides Gerri Colombe."
Grangeclare West finished third behind Nick Rockett in the National last year, but was rated as an unlucky loser after making a mistake at the last fence.
Townend had the choice of three other Mullins entrants in the Fairyhouse race, but had no doubts about which one he was going to ride.
“I tried not to overthink it – he was able to put a poor run behind him – I didn't want to ride one of the other ones and for this lad to win,” Townend added.
“He’s been keeping good company. I hadn't realised that he hadn't won in that long, but he’s a good jumper and a classy animal.”
Third-placed Stellar Story could be one to monitor in the Grand National betting given that he will be 21lb better off with Grangeclare West and Gerri Colombe at Aintree.
The horse was 14-and-a-half lengths behind the winner on Sunday, but would have been much closer had he not made a mistake at the second last fence.
The 2024 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle winner needs soft ground to produce his best form and could be a good each-way bet at odds of 25/1 for the National.
Grand National 2026 – Latest Betting
• Iroko – 6/1
• I Am Maximus – 10/1
• Grangeclare West – 12/1
• Haiti Couleurs – 14/1
• Resplendent Grey - 20/1
• Monty's Star – 20/1
• Panic Attack - 20/1
• Nick Rockett – 25/1
• Jordans – 25/1
• Captain Cody – 25/1
• Stellar Story – 25/1
• Oscars Brother – 33/1
• Western Fold – 33/1
• Favori De Champdou – 33/1
• Jagwar – 33/1
• Johnnywho – 33/1
• Gerri Colombe – 33/1
• Gorgeous Tom – 33/1
• Spillane's Tower – 33/1
• High Class Hero – 40/1
• Lecky Watson – 40/1
• Now Is The Hour – 40/1
• Leave Of Absence – 40/1
• Gentlemansgame – 50/1
• Firefox – 50/1
• Blaze The Way – 50/1
• Pic Roc – 50/1
• Three Card Brag – 50/1
• Quai De Bourbon – 50/1
• Better Days Ahead – 50/1
• Spanish Harlem – 50/1
• Twig – 50/1
• L'Homme Presse – 50/1
• Grey Dawning – 50/1
• Perceval Legallois – 50/1
• Imperial Saint – 50/1
• Final Orders – 66/1
• Marble Sands – 66/1
• Champ Kiely – 66/1
• Yeah Man – 66/1
• Handstands – 66/1
• Answer To Kayf – 66/1
• Beauport – 66/1
• Hyland – 66/1
• Deafening Silence – 66/1
• Anyway – 66/1
• Banbridge – 66/1
