The 2026 Boyle Sports Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse delivered all the drama, intensity, and unpredictability that racing fans have come to expect from Ireland’s richest jumps race. With a maximum field of 30 runners thundering to post at 5pm on Easter Monday, April 6, anticipation was sky-high—not just for the €500,000 prize fund, but for the spectacle itself, magnified by recent debates about starting procedures and the fierce rivalry among elite trainers.
Just weeks after controversy marred the Cheltenham Festival’s starts, Irish authorities opted for a new approach: dispensing with the traditional tape start in favor of a flag start, hoping to avoid the false starts and confusion that had plagued big-field races. As the field assembled behind marker poles, all eyes were on starter Joe Banahan and the jockeys, who’d been urged to approach in a "controlled" manner. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) had been trialing this method, and an IHRB spokesman noted, "We’ve had very positive engagement between the jockeys and the starters throughout this process." The stakes for getting it right could not have been higher.
The tension was palpable as the horses lined up, with the roar of the Fairyhouse crowd adding to the charged atmosphere. Among the runners, the sport’s biggest names were well represented. Willie Mullins sent out seven hopefuls, with Paul Townend partnering Kiss Will. Gordon Elliott, determined to challenge Mullins for the trainers’ championship, fielded six, including Shecouldbeanything for Jack Kennedy and the topweight Better Days Ahead, carrying the hopes of many after a sixth-place finish last year. Rob James took a crucial 7lbs off Better Days Ahead, with Elliott saying, "This has been the plan all year. He has topweight, but the most important thing is for the ground to stay on the soft side. He was sixth in it last year and he is in great condition."
British interest was strong, too, with The Jukebox Kid among the favorites after a string of promising performances. Trainer Ben Pauling had expressed cautious optimism, stating, "I think he is better going right-handed. He has only run six times in his life and that would be the only concern. But if he gets into a rhythm, he’s a good horse." Meanwhile, the powerful JP McManus operation, with a storied history in this race, saw Mark Walsh on Showurappreciation and Harry Cobden on Goraibhmaithagat, the latter a novice from Colm Murphy’s yard with just six runs over fences but plenty of promise.
As the field was sent on their way, it became clear that the new flag start had worked—no major controversy, no false starts, just 30 determined horses charging toward the first of 24 fences. The early pace was honest, with several fancied runners taking up handy positions. But as the race unfolded, the attritional nature of the Irish Grand National began to tell. Kiss Will, Mullins’s choice for Townend, fell, while others like Search For Glory, Joystick, and The Jukebox Kid were pulled up after their efforts faded. Shecouldbeanything, another with high hopes, also failed to finish, highlighting just how tough this marathon contest can be.
Amid the chaos and the casualties, it was Soldier in Milan who emerged as the hero of the day. Ridden with supreme confidence by Donagh Meyler, Soldier in Milan traveled strongly throughout, navigating the demanding Fairyhouse circuit and its formidable fences with poise. As the field turned for home, it was clear that Soldier in Milan had plenty left in the tank, and with a powerful drive after the last, he surged clear to win the 2026 Irish Grand National at odds of 6-1.
Behind the winner, Showurappreciation, carrying the famous green and gold of JP McManus and ridden by Mark Walsh, ran a brave race to claim second at 10-1. The Enabler, a 28-1 outsider, finished a gallant third, while Argento Boy (16-1) and Monbeg Genius (25-1) completed the top five. Better Days Ahead, despite carrying topweight and the hopes of the Elliott camp, finished in sixth—no disgrace given the depth of the field and the punishing conditions.
Other notable finishers included One Big Bang (16-1) in seventh, C’est Ta Chance (20-1) in eighth, Goraibhmaithagat (12-1) in ninth, and Born Braver (28-1) rounding out the top ten. Several horses failed to complete the course, a testament to the challenge posed by the Fairyhouse fences and the relentless pace set from the outset. Among the non-finishers were some of the most talked-about contenders, such as The Jukebox Kid, who pulled up, and Kiss Will, who fell early, dashing the hopes of the Mullins camp.
This year’s renewal was not just about the horses and their connections; it was also a proving ground for the new starting procedures. The successful flag start, executed without major incident, will likely be seen as a vindication of the IHRB’s recent trials and the collaborative spirit between officials and jockeys. After the race, there was a sense of relief and satisfaction that the big field had gotten away cleanly—a small but significant victory for Irish racing after recent controversies.
For Soldier in Milan, the victory will go down in history. While the horse’s connections basked in the glory of one of the sport’s most coveted prizes, the wider racing community reflected on a race that showcased the best of Irish National Hunt—depth of talent, fierce competition, and the ever-present element of unpredictability. The result was a fitting climax to a day of high-class action at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival, which also featured a €100,000 Grade Two Chase earlier in the afternoon, pitting the likes of Mullins’s Energumene and Elliott’s Found A Fifty against each other in another thrilling contest.
As the sun set over Fairyhouse, the echoes of the crowd’s cheers still lingered, and thoughts turned to what lies ahead for the stars of this year’s Irish Grand National. For the winning team behind Soldier in Milan, the future looks bright, while the rest of the field will regroup and plot their next moves. With the trainers’ championship race between Mullins and Elliott still hanging in the balance, and new questions about starting procedures answered—at least for now—this year’s Irish Grand National will be remembered as much for its sporting spectacle as for its smooth execution and the emergence of a new champion.
That’s the magic of the Irish Grand National—where legends are made, dreams are dashed, and every jump could be the difference between glory and heartbreak. Soldier in Milan’s victory will be talked about for years to come, but for now, the racing world tips its hat to a worthy winner and a day when everything, finally, went right at the start.