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The Irish Angle With Paul Callaghan - Saturday Fairyhouse Tips

As a proud Meath man, this is one of my favourite times of the year. It’s Easter weekend and Easter Monday can only mean one thing – the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

As a child growing up, I was first introduced to horse racing at the Irish Grand National meeting. Fairyhouse was held on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wednesday was family day, my mother and father would pack my three brothers, sister and myself in the car and away we went.

My passion for the sport grew from there, so much so that starting primary school at the age of 5, I had my mind made up on becoming a national hunt jockey.

So on the opening day of a massive three days at the county Meath racecourse, I have three selections, I hope can pay for the Easter eggs on Sunday. Enjoy!

Fairyhouse 12:55

Ballybough Native

Rachael Blackmore

Henry De Bromhead

Age: 6

Weight: 11-12

OR: N/A

Days: 388

I quite like Ballybough Native’s chances of opening up his account over hurdles at the first time of asking. He ran out an easy winner of a point-to-point bumper at Tipperary on the 24th of March last year, when formerly trained by Ian McCarthy.

He was sold after that victory for £195,000 at the Cheltenham sale that same month and represents top connections here, in Gold Cup winning owner Barry Maloney, trainer Henry De Bromhead and jockey Rachael Blackmore.

Level Neverending was a beaten favourite on both starts over hurdles. While he should be competitive, he may have to settle for minor honours once again. While any market support for Changing The Rules is worth noting.