Cork Grand National tips & runners guide to Cork 3.15 on Sunday

Gordon Elliott saddles three runners in the Paddy Power Cork Grand National and his number one jockey Jack Kennedy has opted to ride stable debutant RoyalThief.

Last seen finishing sixth in the Kim Muir at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, the lightly-raced nine-year-old is joined by stablemates DiolKer and CavalryMaster in the Listed handicap chase at 15:15 on Sunday.

Henry De Bromhead is represented by WalkAway, who takes a significant step up in trip at the age of 10, while stamina should not be an issue for last season’s Scottish Grand National third FlashDeTouzaine.

The latest Cork Grand National odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Timeform: A few with chances but CALL THE TUNE is knocking on the door and taken to gain a deserved success and edge out Fairyhill Run who also arrives at the top of her game and rates a major threat. Glenquin Castle is another who needs considering back in this sphere along with Royal Thief and Diol Ker who both make their debut for Gordon Elliott.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Paddy Power Cork Grand National runners and riders

The following horses have been declared for the Paddy Power Cork Grand National 2023.

Diol Ker

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: D. J. Gilligan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 12lbs

Went very close in 3m Paddy Power at Leopardstown last Christmas in first-time blinkers; jumping went to pieces when disappointing in 3m4f Grand National Trial at Punchestown; unseated at the first in the Grand National; made mistakes at Punchestown; first run for Gordon Elliott now.

Champagne Platinum

Trainer: Enda Bolger Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 9 Weight: 11st 0lbs

Good fourth in Punchestown’s National Trial over 3m4f; pulled up in Irish Grand National, but could be a factor here if fit and ready for his seasonal debut; one of three in the race for his owner.

Royal Thief

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: J. W. Kennedy Age: 9 Weight: 10st 13lbs

Was running for the first time since November 2020 when recording 10l win over an extended 2m6f at Punchestown in January; had a spell in the lead from four out to two out when sixth in an Irish-dominated Kim Muir at Cheltenham; has been transferred to Gordon Elliott and is Jack Kennedy’s choice over two other Gigginstown runners.

Cavalry Master

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Jordan Colin Gainford Age: 9 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Won four novice events between April and July in 2021; soundly beaten in three big handicaps later that season; formerly with Henry de Bromhead; was having first run for Gordon Elliott when tailed off in last month’s Munster National.

Flash De Touzaine

Trainer: Miss Elizabeth Doyle Jockey: Richard Deegan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Only chase win was achieved over 2m6f at Galway just over a year ago; gallant display when third to Kitty’s Light in the Scottish Grand National; that was on good ground, but Galway win was on soft-to heavy and came on his seasonal debut into the bargain; solid chance.

Walk Away

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 10 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Placed in beginners’ chases won by Faugheen and Allaho in 2019/20 season; fell six out when favourite for 2020 Munster National; 14l second to Asterion Forlonge in a 2m5f novice handicap at the 2021 Punchestown festival; not seen again until second in a 3m beginners’ event at Tipperary in May; missed last month’s Munster National owing to a stone bruise.

The Little Yank

Trainer: John Patrick Ryan Jockey: D. King Age: 8 Weight: 10st 7lbs

Six wins in a busy 64-race career; unsuccessful in ten attempts beyond 2m6f, nor has he won on ground any worse than yielding; moderate fourth in a recent 3m hurdle at Clonmel; too many negatives.

Everglow

Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 8 Weight: 10st 6lbs

Winner over fences at Kilbeggan early last season; appeared to be travelling strongly when hampered and fell three out in 3m7f Punchestown festival contest in which Sir Bob and History Of Fashion were placed; given a break after moderate sixth at Killarney in May.

Fairyhill Run

Trainer: John Patrick Ryan Jockey: D. E. Mullins Age: 8 Weight: 10st 5lbs

Five-time winner (3-20 over fences, placed five times); ran her best race for a long time when second in a 2m6f handicap at Listowel in September; plenty to find with Sir Bob and History Of Fashion on running at the Punchestown festival.

Sir Bob

Trainer: Robert Tyner Jockey: S. D. Torrens Age: 11 Weight: 10st 2lbs

Enjoyed a fine spell of form last winter continuing into the spring when going close in a valuable 3m7f handicap at the Punchestown festival, 2 1/2l in front of today’s rival History Of Fashion; should be nearing peak form after two handicap hurdle runs.

Salmanino

Trainer: Miss Elizabeth Doyle Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe Age: 7 Weight: 10st 1lbs

Rated only 105 over hurdles; improved markedly when switched to chasing last season; comfortably won a 2m6f Punchestown beginners’ on testing ground; made a few mistakes on his final start; this is demanding for seasonal/handicap debut.

Glenquin Castle

Trainer: Martin Brassil Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 9 Weight: 10st 0lbs

Won seven consecutive races in 2021, switching between hurdles and fences to superb effect; notched his first win since then in a handicap chase at Galway in September; kept ticking over with a placed effort over hurdles at Punchestown last month; probably best on good or yielding ground, but handles soft.

History Of Fashion

Trainer: P. A. Fahy Jockey: M. M. McDonagh Age: 9 Weight: 10st 0lbs

Second in a valuable 3m contest at Naas in March, and a creditable third over 3m7f at Punchestown festival; tailed off over 2m4f at Gowran in September; should be much sharper now and the trip is well within his range.

Call The Tune

Trainer: Barry Connell Jockey: M. J. M. O’Sullivan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 0lbs

Twice placed in staying handicap hurdles since unplaced in a handicap chase at Kilbeggan in June (may have needed that after a lengthy absence); won a 3m handicap chase in testing conditions at Navan in March 2022; fair chance of getting the trip; 3lb out of the handicap.

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