Donagh Meyler had some week. Five winners over the Fairyhouse Easter Festival, capped by a 16-length Irish Grand National victory aboard Soldier In Milan that brought up his 50 winners of the season. Not bad for a man who not so long ago was scrapping to reach 15 winners a summer.
Now he heads to Aintree on Saturday to ride Quai De Bourbon for Willie Mullins in the Grand National. Speaking exclusively to BOYLE Sports, Meyler gave us his honest take on the race and his picks for the big day.
Meyler's National Ride
Donagh Meyler’s Grand National Ride: Quai De Bourbon
The ride itself came about quickly. “I got a phone call last week from David Casey wondering whether I’d ride for Willie in the race,” Meyler told us. He did not need long to think about it.
Meyler has ridden in two previous Grand Nationals without luck, pulled up on Farouk D’Alene and falling on Measureofmydreams. He goes into this one with a clearer sense of what it takes. “Quai De Bourbon finished third in the Irish National last year and he should stay the trip. I don’t know a whole lot about him, just his form. That reads okay.”
And the trainer counts for a lot. “Riding for the master Willie Mullins means you have a chance.” With Mullins saddling nine runners in a 34-horse field, that is not false modesty. It’s just arithmetic. Quai De Bourbon is available at 25/1 with BOYLE Sports.
And when we pushed Meyler on whether doing the Irish and English National double was even possible, his answer said it all. “It would be crazy stuff. But you’ve got to believe!”
Meyler's National Tips
Donagh Meyler’s Grand National Tips
When we asked Meyler which horse he would want to be on if he could pick anything in the field, he did not hesitate. “You’ve got to look at I Am Maximus ,” he said. “ Grangeclare West has smart prospects too, he hasn’t been doing a whole lot wrong.”
The market is right behind him on both. I Am Maximus is 7/1 favourite with BOYLE Sports, Grangeclare West next best at 10/1. Both are trained by Willie Mullins, who has won the last two renewals and saddles nine runners on Saturday.
I Am Maximus is already a modern National great. He won the race in 2024 and ran a brave second under top weight last year. The concern this time is the same as it was 12 months ago. No horse has won carrying top weight since Red Rum in 1974, and he faces that burden again at 11st 12lb.
Grangeclare West appeals as the each-way case. He was third last year but a jumping error at the final fence cost him. He has come back in good shape this season, winning the Bobbyjo Chase in February, which has a strong recent record as a National trial. Meyler’s assessment that he has not been doing a whole lot wrong is hard to argue with.
The Wider Picture
The Wider Picture
Willie Mullins is gunning for a third consecutive Grand National win, and his stranglehold on the race is hard to argue with. Last year he trained the first three home.
Beyond Meyler’s two picks, Panic Attack has been well backed for Dan Skelton at 8/1, while the JP McManus trio of Iroko, Jagwar and Johnnywho are all live players too.
There is one notable absentee worth mentioning. Defending champion Nick Rockett was pulled out of the race on Thursday morning after a coughing bout. That clears the path a little for I Am Maximus to reclaim a title he arguably never lost on merit.
For a full breakdown of every runner, ratings and predictions, check out our Grand National runners guide on the BOYLE Sports blog.
Meyler's Verdict
Meyler’s Grand National Verdict
Donagh Meyler is riding at a 32% strike rate this season with 50 winners on the board. When a jockey in that kind of form singles out two horses unprompted, it is worth taking notice.
He is riding Quai De Bourbon himself and is confident about his chances under Mullins. His unprompted picks for the race are I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West, and on both counts the market is right behind him.
Grangeclare West looks the most interesting each-way option of the two at 10/1 with BOYLE Sports. He was unlucky last year, arrives in good form after the Bobbyjo Chase, and if he jumps cleanly he has every chance of going one better.
I Am Maximus is the classiest horse in the race but top weight is a real obstacle, and Meyler’s nod to Grangeclare West suggests he sees that too. The form is there, the trial is ticked, and the market price looks fair. Could this be the one to side with?
Meyler’s Tips: I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West
Meyler’s Ride: Quai De Bourbon
Bet on Grand National Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation.
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