Irish Grand National: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Davy Russell rides the fancied Sweeney Tunes

Timeform look at all 30 runners in the Easter Monday feature, the Irish Grand National over three miles and five furlongs at Fairyhouse.

Junior jumped fluently when making all to regain winning thread in Rehearsal Chase on reappearance. Out of his depth over fences next 2 starts, but produced laboured effort back hurdling at Cheltenham.

You Must Know Me won his sole hurdles start and has quickly made up into a useful chaser, finding only the rejuvenated Dedigout too good in a novice at Naas last time. Jumping already looks a real asset.

Magnanimity put up creditable efforts when runner-up this season, beaten 3 lengths by Call The Police in minor event at Clonmel on latest. Showed up well for a long way in this last season, but stamina an issue.

Sweeney Tunes has always looked the type to make a better chaser than hurdler and has progressed well since switched to the larger obstacles, scoring easily in a Grade 2 at Naas on latest. Will stay beyond 3m.

Competitive Edge has got his act together over fences recently, following up his Leopardstown win from a 7 lb higher mark at Gowran last time. In good heart, but marked step up in trip looks a real concern.

Cootamundra is yet to strike over fences, but shown plenty of ability in this sphere, including when third to Savello at Leopardstown. Never once shaped as if wanting a test of stamina like this, though.

He'llberemembered is a useful hurdler who has won twice over fences this season, most recently in a 21f Leopardstown handicap. Not so good at Gowran just 6 days later and jumping is a worry in a big field like this.

Home Farm ran out a wide-margin winner of a maiden hurdle at Thurles (2m) and transferred that form to fences when beating White Star Line in maiden here on latest start. Should do better and bred to stay well.

Jacksonlady has done well since switched to fences this season, showing useful form to land an 17f handicap at Leopardstown on latest by 3 lengths from Rubert. Fit from Flat, but unproven beyond 2m.

Muirhead is a hold-up performer who had to work hard to land the odds in minor chase at Galway in September. Best effort since when fourth to Mount Benbulben at Thurles last time, but much more needed now.

Whodoyouthink is a better chaser than hurdler, winning minor event at Punchestown in May. Can be moody, however, and form has been very patchy this term. One to be wary of.

Rich Revival is very lightly raced for a 9-y-o but quickly making up for lost time over fences this season, making it 3 from 3 when landing the Leinster National at Naas on latest. May do better still.

Marasonnien was a Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler but is yet to prove as effective over fences, third behind Home Farm in a maiden here on latest. Needs to improve, but couldn't be in better hands.

Away We Go showed himself better than ever when winning handicap hurdle here in February and yet to race over fences for this yard. Handicapper taken no chances, but by no means a forlorn hope.

Romanesco's jumping can be sketchy but he posted a useful effort when runner-up to Colbert Station in Paddy Power at Leopardstown in December and ran well when third to Same Difference at Cheltenham on latest.

Cross Appeal won the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown last season, but failed to fire since reappearance and hard to trust on present form.

Jadanli put up his best effort in some time when landing Thyestes Chase at Gowran in January with cheekpieces refitted. Not discredited either start since, but handicapper may well have his measure now.

Questions Answered is a better chaser than hurdler and has produced largely creditable efforts over fences this term, though wasn't quite at his best when only seventh at Leopardstown on latest.

Blazing Beacon is lightly raced for one his age but proved all ability still remains when winning veterans race at Wexford on return, jumping superbly. 8 lb rise should be enough to stop him following up.

Panther Claw is still progressing over fences and beat Saoirse Dun by 1 lengths in 16-runner event at Navan on latest, jumping better than last time. Should relish the emphasis being on stamina.

Start Me Up ran creditably when in frame in quite valuable handicap chases earlier this term, but form has rather tailed off since and jumping has long since been a cause for concern.

Carlingford Lough was a winner of 4 of his 6 starts over hurdles, showing useful level of form in the process. Yet to hit same heights over fences, but less exposed than some and could well be on a handy mark.

Imperial Shabra is a prominently-ridden type who is a fairly useful hurdler/chaser on his day. Has been badly out of sorts for a while now, though.

Liberty Counsel often mixes hurdling with chasing, gaining latest win at Kilbeggan in September. Out of sorts last 2 starts and has plenty on from this mark.

Rapidolyte de Ladalka has registered all 3 wins at Catterick, beating Makethe Mostofnow by length for latest success, outpaced back straight but staying on strongly despite looking awkward. Will stay long distances.

Carloswayback was the winner of Punchestown maiden chase last January and third in a Grade 2 the following month. Still went as if in need of the run at Leopardstown on latest, but doubtful stayer here.
 
Goonyella won twice in points prior to taking 3-finisher maiden hunter at Limerick and better form when third the next twice, losing nothing in defeat behind Salsify and Tammy's Hill at Leopardstown.

Our Victoria is a genuine mare who looked on good terms with herself when bagging minor events at Navan and Thurles in September/October. Given a break since failing to fire next 2 starts, but others preferred.

Paddy Pub landed a handicap hurdle last term before finishing fourth in this corresponding race. Looked to be working his way back to form this season, but then had no excuses in Leinster National on latest.

Quietly Fancied was runner-up in Munster National in October, and back to best when taking 11-runner handicap hurdle at Clonmel the following month. Inadequate trip last twice, so entitled to do better here.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Sweeney Tunes
2. Home Farm
3. Carlingford Lough

Timeform view: Sweeney Tunes is an upwardly mobile staying chaser who should relish the emphasis being firmly on stamina and looks the one to side with. Home Farm has the scope to go on improving in staying chases and merits plenty of respect, whilst Panthew Claw, Rich Revival, Goonyella and Carlingford Lough all have to enter calculations.