GO GALLANT IN NATIONAL

It's Easter Monday and in the racing world that can mean only one thing, the Irish Grand National. To me, the only way to whittle down a big field to a handful is to analyse previous renewals of the race and see which horses fit the criteria required to win.

THE CRITERIA

• Carrying less than 10-5 (mark of 136 or lower)
• Irish Bred
• 10 years old or less
• Course experience preferable
• Last race within two months of today.

It's rather disappointing that Tammys Hill does not line up, he was my main fancy for the race. However, I'm still going into the race with 3 selections and these are the horses that fit as much of the criteria as possible.

My main hope now is GALLANT OSCAR. He's in smashing form having won his last two races and he has form on ground similar to this. There is a doubt as to whether he will stay, but that doubt is the same for many of the opposition. If he does stay, he has a massive chance and his low weight (10-3) will aid him nicely as well.

Gallant Oscar

Another horse who should go well is GOLDEN WONDER. Although he's rather inexperienced over the chase fences, he's sure to thrive on the good ground. His shrewd trainer Dessie Hughes will no doubt have him primed for this.

My final selection is an outrageous price. A horse who won his last race and again has form on ground similar to this, one for Newcastle fans, it's TOON RIVER. I'm flabbergasted to see prices around 50/1 for him, far too big.

Other selections 

2:45- KITTEN ROCK. A horse who has been a non runner a couple of times this season and every time Barry Geraghty has talked him up to be a decent sort. He hasn't had the burden of having potentially tough races at Cheltenham and Aintree, something which favourite Clarcam has faced.

4:20- A race that usually throws up a good horse, I've opted for the Shark Hanlon pair, STOWAWAY SHARK and CLONDAW FARMER. The trainer is said to think quite highly of Stowaway Shark and believes that Clondaw Farmer may be even better on the good ground. Jockey bookings are positive (RP McNamara and Paddy Mullins respectively), the only danger to me is DOUBLE SCORES, who his trainer said will appreciate a softer surface.

6:35- INVESTMENTSUCCESS travelled as though he was going to win his debut, possibly the softer going contributing to his downfall. Better ground today should enhance his chances. SUNRAE SHADOW should also go well, having ran 3rd in a decent bumper behind useful sorts Value At Risk (ran in Cheltenham bumper) and Windsor Park (won easily on lastest outing). If he can replicate that, he has a nice chance.

Have a great Easter Monday

Happy Punting!