Irish Horses Looking Good

The 2012 Grand National sees the largest number of Irish entries take to the starting line today with an unprecedented 15 of them ready to saddle up. Heading them up is Jonjo O’Neill’s Gold Cup hero Synchronised, the race favourite but one with very tough competition.

[Racecard Killyglen]

Such short odds hold very little appeal for punters so even though he may be well fancied to make history this afternoon, but going off at single odds isn’t great and you wouldn’t win much if you backed him. That said, he is currently the only one at such short odds with the others starting at 12/1.

However, with 15 Irish horses in the race, percentages dictate that at least two of the first five home and in the money should be from Ireland. Willie Mullins saddles three in his search for a second National triumph.

Trainer Ted Walsh and his daughter Katie team up with the prolific Seabass. Unbeaten in six over the past two years, his form is superb but staying the distance may be his weakness.

Nina Carberry and her uncle Arthur Moore are represented by last year’s stunning Irish Grand National victor, Organisedconfusion. He is only seven years old and his youth may show alongside some of the more experienced horses.

Gordon Elliott, who prepared Silver Birch for that famous coup five years ago, relies on Chicago Grey and Tharawaat this time.

Dessie Hughes saddles the 2010 runner-up Black Apalachi, Rare Bob, Vic Venturi and In Compliance, while the Tom Taafe trained Treacle has claims on the back of his third in the Hennessy.

The value option though, may be Killyglen. Trained in Larne by Stuart Crawford, the 10-year-old has been aimed specifically at the 2012 Grand National since tipping up at the fourth-last when still bang in contention a year ago.