Paddy Power Cork Grand National: race preview and a 10/1 tip

There’s no hanging about with the “Nationals” in the Irish racing programme, with the Kerry National and Munster National having already taken place this season. And on Sunday the stamina-sapping features continue with the €45,000 Paddy Power Cork Grand National over 3m 4f.

Not surprisingly, Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud loom into view with three contenders among the 13-strong field in the shape of Diol Ker, Royal Thief and Cavalry Master. The first pair named will be having their first outings for the Cullentra House yard, having previously been trained by Noel Meade and Henry de Bromhead.

“If you wanted to paint a horse to make a chaser, you'd paint him - he's the most gorgeous horse,” Meade said of Diol ker about this time four years ago, when he dished out a seven-length drubbing to Monkfish in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse.

He’s since been something of an underachiever, although he did win the Leinster National at Naas in 2022 (that one is staged in March) and would have won the richly endowed Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown last Christmas in another stride, when sporting first-time blinkers and ridden by 5lb conditional Kieren Buckley for the first time.

Diol Ker has since gone back into his shell but will no doubt pop up somewhere this winter. He resumes off a mark just 1lb higher than at Leopardstown with Danny Gilligan, another 5lb claimer, getting the gig. Six of the past ten editions of this race have been won by conditionals, so don’t ignore that angle. Coral make Diol Ker a top-priced 10/1 and it will be interesting to see which way he travels in the market.

Cavalry Master has no meaningful form since the summer of 2021 but the stable’s apparent No 1 hope, Royal Thief, partnered by Jack Kennedy, demands close attention.

Don’t fret that he’s been off almost eight months since putting up a bold show in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham because he’s got a great record when fresh, including when overcoming a marathon 782-day absent on his return at Punchestown last season. It looked like Patrick Mullins was riding him with another day in mind on that occasion – keeping him out wide under restraint – only for the combination to surge away from the final fence.

Royal Thief was effectively having only his third run over fences at Cheltenham, two months later, but he was ridden in contrasting fashion (Mullins not on board) and faded after hitting the front four from home. My one reservation about him on Sunday is his stamina, while he’s not been missed by the layers. Most quote him at 9/2, but Coral go a point bigger.

CALL THE TUNE also has to prove his staying power but he’s got only 10st on his back and, in keeping with his pedigree, shapes as if he will relish tackling beyond 3m for the first time.

The nine-year-old first hinted he had a good staying prize in him when pulling miles clear with Ballyshannon Rose (gave 3lb) in a 3m hurdle at Fairyhouse early in 2021. The winner was racing off 105 that day but she has never looked back, currently being rated 141 over fences by the British assessor.

Call The Tune’s development has not been so rapid, not helped by a 14-month absence before he reappeared this summer. Clearly, he’s had an issue or two but, encouragingly, he’s had three starts since June and his past two starts in 3m handicap hurdles, when going close at Galway and Listowel, indicate whatever problems he had are behind him.

He has looked a sound jumper in his first six races over the larger obstacles and definitely has unfinished business in this sphere. Mikey O’Sullivan, on board for his most recent runs, won’t have an issue getting down to 10st and is a dab had at getting horses into a rhythm.

Don’t be fooled into thinking Call The Tune is a “summer horse”, as he has plenty of form when the mud is flying. I imagine that owner/trainer Barry Connell has simply been keen to make up for some lost time. The race sponsors make him 7-1, but there’s plenty of 10/1 available elsewhere.

The other trio worthy of a mention are Walk Away, Glenquin Castle and Flash De Touzaine.

Walk Away has stood little racing since finishing fourth to Champ in a Grade One novice hurdle at Aintree in 2019, so much so that four years after an encouraging chasing bow at Leopardstown his novice status remains intact. A mark of 130 may well be lenient if Henry de Bromhead can ever get a clear run with him but, rising 11, he clearly comes with risks attached.

Glenquin Castle is a much more robust individual, chalking up seven successive wins in the space of four months in the second half of 2021. The handicapper has subsequently made life tougher for him, but the JP McManus-owned nine-year-old landed a gamble at Galway when last seen over fences and he is now re-equipped with headgear.

Flash De Touzaine must also merit a mention, having finished a close third in the Scottish Grand National when last seen in action. That was the first time his stamina has been properly tested, although it might also have been that he enjoyed getting on a sounder surface.