BOYLE Sports Irish Grand National tips: 16-1 shot has a big Chance

Whilst the Aintree Grand National has favoured those at the top of the weights in recent years, it generally pays to look at those lower down the handicap in the Irish equivalent, with only three winners having carried over 11st to victory since 2000 (although two of those have been in the last three years).

Over half of the past 22 winners have carried 10st 6lb or less and novices have also held sway in recent editions, so it is no surprise to see the head of the market yet again dominated by lightly-raced improvers.

One novice who I have been really taken by and could be tailor-made for this test is C'EST TA CHANCE for Willie Mullins. The seven-year-old, who will carry exactly 11st off a mark of 142, was not particularly convincing as a staying prospect over hurdles, but has looked in need of a trip this season over fences.

From a stamina-laden Aga Khan family, he scrambled home needing every inch of the two and a half miles at Gowran in January and, stepped up a furlong and a half at Thurles last time, produced a career best to win readily by almost five lengths.

Those two most recent wins have seen him register Jump Indexes of 8.6 and 8.1, the highest figure recorded in both contests – and he is the joint third-best jumper in the field here according to RaceiQ.

He is currently available at as big as 16-1, which looks a real bit of value, certainly relative to Soldier In Milan, who he comfortably accounted for last time and yet is a far bigger price than. C'est Ta Chance's experience in big fields and versatility with regards to running style should also stand him in good stead, with Danny Mullins aboard another big positive.

Another that appeals at the same price is BETTER TIMES AHEAD for Robert Tyner, a trainer who is having his best season under Rules in Ireland for some time, operating at a 26 per cent strike rate.

This nine-year-old does have more mileage on the clock than most ahead of him in the market, but he is still relatively lightly-raced for his age and, crucially, is a dour stayer with course form having won over 3m6f here in November.

The McManus homebred has been in the form of his life this season (2/2 at the course), following up that most recent Fairyhouse victory with a fine second in the Thyestes in January off a 9lb higher mark, during which he gained over 15 lengths with his jumping, the most in the race by a considerable margin.

His recent prep over hurdles over an inadequate trip at Naas should have him spot on for this and he has a lovely racing weight of 10st 8lb.

There is a fair amount of pace on here and the harder they go the better for this horse, who should be staying on strongly at the business end of the race at course which he knows well.

Back C'EST TA CHANCE at 16-1 each-way with William Hill.

Back BETTER TIMES AHEAD at a general 16-1 each-way.