The Irish Grand National was first run in 1870 and has much in common with the similarly named races held at Aintree, Ayr and Chepstow. It is a shade shorter at three miles and five furlongs but is also a gruelling handicap chase that sees a large field battle it out over 24 fences. The Meath venue of Fairyhouse does the honours when it comes to hosting and the total prize pool of half a million pounds makes this one of the richest races on the Emerald Isle.
It is part of Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival and like the English and Scottish versions of this race is now held in April, usually before the Aintree contest. Brown Lad completed a hat-trick in this race by winning in 1975, 1976 and 1978, with Arkle, Desert Orchid and Rhyme ‘n’ Reason other notable winners. Rhyme ‘n’ Reason was joined by Bobbyjo and Numbersixvalverde on a reasonably long list of horses to land this and also the Aintree edition of the race, though no horse had doubled up in the same year.
2024
- 1st - Intense Raffles 13/2, Jockey: J J Slevin, Trainer: Thomas Gibney
- 2nd - Any Second Now 14/1, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Ted Walsh
- 3rd - Minella Cocooner 20/1, Jockey: Danny Mullins, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 4th - Frontal Assault 25/1, Jockey: Carl Millar, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
2023
- 1st - I Am Maximus 8/1, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd - Gevrey 28/1, Jockey: Brian Hayes, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 3rd - Defi Bleu 28/1, Jockey: Gavin Brouder, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 4th - Dolcita 33/1, Jockey: Danny Mullins, Trainer: Willie Mullins
2022
- 1st - Lord Lariat 40/1, Jockey: Paddy O’Hanlon, Trainer: Dermot McLoughlin
- 2nd - Frontal Assault 18/1, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 3rd - Gaillard Du Mesnil 11/2F, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 4th - Screaming Colours 18/1, Jockey: Mr J J Codd, Trainer: William Durkan
2021
- 1st - Freewheelin Dylan 150/1, Jockey: Ricky Doyle, Trainer: Dermot McLoughlin
- 2nd - Run Wild Fred 9/1, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Mrs Denise Foster
- 3rd - Enjoy D’allen 40/1, Jockey: Conor Orr, Trainer: Ciaran Murphy
- 4th - Latest Exhibition 9/2F, Jockey: Bryan Cooper, Trainer: Paul Nolan
2020
Cancelled.
2019
- 1st - Burrows Saint 6/1F, Jockey: Ruby Walsh, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd - Isleofhopendreams 20/1, Jockey: Willie Mullins, Trainer: Danny Mullins
- 3rd - Acapella Bourgeois 18/1, Jockey: Willie Mullins, Trainer: Jonathan Burke
- 4th - Snugsborough Benny 14/1, Jockey: Denis O’Regan, Trainer: Liam Cussack
2018
- 1st - General Principle (IRE) 20/1, Jockey: J J Slevin, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 2nd - Isleofhopendreams 16/1, Jockey: Danny Mullins, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 3rd - Forever Gold (IRE) 20/1, Jockey: Adam Short, Trainer: Edward Cawley
2017
- 1st - Our Duke (IRE) 9/2F, Jockey: Robbie Power, Trainer: Mrs John Harrington
- 2nd - Bless The Wings (IRE) 12/1, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 3rd - Abolitionist (IRE) 14/1, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore, Trainer: Miss Ellmarie Holden
2016
- 1st - Rogue Angel (IRE) 16/1, Jockey: Ger Fox, Trainer: Michael F. Morris
- 2nd - Bless The Wings (IRE) 12/1, Jockey: Ruby Walsh, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 3rd - Ballyadam Approach (IRE) 33/1, Jockey: David Splaine, Trainer: Terrence O'Brien
2015
- 1st - Sword Fish (IRE) 9/2, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Christy Roche
- 2nd - Thelobstercatcher 9/1, Jockey: Brian Hayes, Trainer: Pat A. Fahy
- 3rd - Montana Slim (IRE) 4/1J, Jockey: Shane Crimin, Trainer: Michael O'Hare
2014
- 1st - Pineau De Re (FR) 25/1, Jockey: Leighton Aspell, Trainer: Dr Richard Newland
- 2nd - Balthazar King (IRE) 14/1, Jockey: Richard Johnson, Trainer: Philip Hobbs
- 3rd - Double Seven (IRE) 10/1J, Jockey: A P McCoy, Trainer: Martin Brassil