Easter Monday is one of the most important days in the Irish betting calendar, primarily because Fairyhouse Racecourse hosts the Irish Grand National — the most bet-on single horse race in Ireland each year.
Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse
The Irish Grand National is a Grade A handicap chase run over approximately 3 miles 5 furlongs at Fairyhouse Racecourse in County Meath. It attracts some of the biggest fields of the National Hunt season and is the highlight of the Easter racing programme. The race is typically run on Easter Monday and draws enormous betting volumes, surpassed only by Cheltenham week.
The Irish Grand National is a staying handicap, which means the weights are designed to give every horse a theoretical chance. This makes it one of the more difficult races to win at short prices and historically produces good-value winning bets. Field sizes are large — typically 25 to 30 runners.
Fairyhouse Easter Festival
The Irish Grand National is the centrepiece of a three-day Easter festival at Fairyhouse, with Grade 1 racing also featuring on Saturday and Sunday. The full festival provides multiple days of premium betting.
Easter Monday Football
The Premier League and English Football League hold fixtures over the Easter weekend, with Monday being a key fixture day. Full match betting markets are available at GRAI-licensed bookmakers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Easter Monday Racing & Football: What's On
| Sport | Typical Events | Key Bet Types |
|---|---|---|
| Horse Racing | Fairyhouse – Irish Grand National | Outright, EW (5 places) |
| Horse Racing | Navan/Naas supporting cards | Win, place, forecast |
| Football | English Championship play-off run-in | Match result, BTTS |
| GAA | Club fixtures may resume | Match result, AH |
| Tennis | Monte Carlo Masters (clay season) | Set betting, outright |
Irish Grand National: EW Terms & Tips
- Irish Grand National run at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday – biggest National Hunt event outside Cheltenham/Aintree
- Typical field: 25–30 runners; each-way terms 1/4 odds, 4 places (some offer 5)
- Weight-for-age scale applies; Grade B handicap – open to all Ireland and UK-trained
- Winning trainer: Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins have dominated the race in recent seasons
Easter Monday Racing and Betting in Ireland
| Venue | Meeting Type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fairyhouse Racecourse | Irish Grand National (Easter Monday) | Ireland's most famous spring handicap chase |
| Leopardstown | Spring flat card | Transition from jumps to flat season |
| UK - Kempton | Bank holiday flat card | Watched widely by Irish bettors via ITV |
| UK - Lingfield | All-weather | Additional betting opportunities |
The Irish Grand National takes place on Easter Monday at Fairyhouse, Co. Meath - a Grade A handicap chase over 3m5f. Fields of 20-30 runners. Each-way with 4-5 places is essential. Irish trainers (Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Jessica Harrington) regularly target this race. Ground in April varies between good-to-yielding and yielding-to-soft. High-weight horses rarely win. 18+. Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753.
The Irish Grand National is run at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday each year. The exact date varies with the Easter calendar, typically falling in March or April.
The Irish Grand National typically has a field of 25 to 30 runners, one of the largest fields in National Hunt racing. The large field increases the importance of a good draw and clean jump at the first few fences.
The Irish Grand National is run over approximately 3 miles 5 furlongs at Fairyhouse. It is a staying handicap chase with 24 fences.
Yes. All GRAI-licensed bookmakers carry extensive Irish Grand National betting markets including the ante-post market which opens months before the race, and on-the-day markets.