PartialLogo
Previews
premium

Can classy Gaillard Du Mesnil defy history and weight in Irish Grand National?

Gaillard Du Mesnil: makes his chasing debut at Naas
Gaillard Du Mesnil: could he be different class in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National?Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Monday: 5.00 Fairyhouse
BoyleSports Irish Grand National Chase | 3m5f50y | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTE1/RTV

You have to rewind to 1995 to find the last horse to carry as much weight as Gaillard Du Mesnil has to victory. That was Flashing Steel and before him it was Desert Orchid in 1990, so Gaillard Du Mesnil has some scary statistics to beat if he is to provide Willie Mullins with his second victory in Ireland's richest jumps race.

There is another argument to be made, though. Gaillard Du Mesnil has a touch of class. He is, on hurdles form anyway, a Grade 1 horse running in a handicap – and he doesn't even have top weight.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock
  • Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
  • Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
  • Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
  • Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
  • Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
  • Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Subscribe

Already a subscriber?Log in

author image
Deputy Ireland editor

Published on inPreviews

Last updated

iconCopy