You know how punters get lost in too much data or bet blindly? I break down the stats and trends so you can feel confident you’re betting with more than just gut instinct.
2026 Leinster National Preview
Scheduled to take place in March of each year at the Naas racecourse is the Leinster National, which is usually run on the Sunday before the Cheltenham Festival.
The race is Grade A, which is run over a bit shorter than most nationals, with a trip of three miles and is open to runners aged five or older who have previously competed in at least three steeplechases.
For sponsorship purposes, the 2026 renewal of the Leinster National will hold the title of 'BAR 1 Betting Leinster National Handicap Chase'.
Leinster National Information:
- Leinster National Past Winners
- Leinster National Trainer Statistics
- Leinster National Jockey Statistics
To see which runners the OLBG racing tipsters are tipping throughout the card that includes this race, head over to the Naas tips on the day of the race. Do they agree with the runners on the trend shortlist, or are they predicting other runners?
Best Horse Racing Betting Sites 2026
How competitive is the Leinster National market? When looking at the over-rounds for the last 17 renewals, the most competitive market was in 2015, when the race had an over-round of 116%. The race in 2013 was a race that was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 142%, whilst on average over the last 17 renewals of the Leinster National, the over-round has been 127%, which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £127 which is bet.
Below you will find the 2026 Leinster National Trends. See which patterns have occurred over the recent renewals that you may be able to use for the next renewal. We also have a section that looks at the Leinster National Trend Analysis. With the field now finalised, we have the Leinster National Trend Shortlist, which is created using the listed trends.
These are the top three quickest-run Leinster National races over the last 17 renewals:
- Benefit Night (6:29.10) in 2011
- Pairofbrowneyes (6:30.00) in 2019
- Pairofbrowneyes (6:41.30) in 2018
Looking at the future form, is the winner worth following next time out? Over the past 17 renewals, if you had followed the winner of the Leinster National next time out, then you would have backed a total of 0 winners. Backing all 17 runners who have been out since their win at SP next time out would have returned an LSP of -17.00. Remember to use the racing predictions along with the information on this page to find a bet on the 2026 Leinster National.
The runner that holds the record over the past 17 renewals for the slowest time in the race was set in the 2021 renewal when Scoir Mear from Thomas Mullins under the guidance of Simon Torrens, won in a time of 7:01.50, whilst at the other end of the spectrum, Benefit Night, trained by Daniel William O'Sullivan and ridden by Davy Condon set the quickest time of 6:29.10 in the 2011 renewal.
What the expert says...
Andy Powell - Horse Racing Betting Expert - OLBG.com
Leinster National Past Winners
Here are the Leinster National past winners for the last 10 renewals. Each row details the year of the race, the horse that won, and the horse's age & weight. The horse's trainer and the jockey at the time of winning the Leinster National are also displayed, along with the starting price at which the horse was sent off.
| Year | Horse | Info |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 6:54.40 | Bushmans Pass (IRE) 9yo 10-9 12/1 | Phillip Enright Oliver McKiernan (IRE) |
| 2024 6:54.90 | Hartur Darc (FR) 7yo 10-3 4/1 | Sean Flanagan Gavin Cromwell (IRE) |
| 2023 6:49.80 | Espanito Bello (FR) 9yo 11-4 7/2 | Michael O'Sullivan (5lbs) Barry Connell (IRE) |
| 2022 6:55.50 | Diol Ker (FR) 8yo 10-5 7/2F | Sean Flanagan Noel Meade (IRE) |
| 2021 7:01.50 | Scoir Mear (IRE) 11yo 10-5 17/2 | Simon Torrens (5lbs) Thomas Mullins (IRE) |
| 2020 6:45.80 | Cap York (FR) 8yo 10-0 11/1 | E Walsh (7lbs) Noel Meade (IRE) |
| 2019 6:30.00 | Pairofbrowneyes (IRE) 10yo 11-0 12/1 | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2018 6:41.30 | Pairofbrowneyes (IRE) 9yo 11-4 9/2 | Paul Townend W P Mullins (IRE) |
| 2017 7:01.10 | Abolitionist (IRE) 9yo 10-12 12/1 | Rachael Blackmore (3lbs) Miss Ellmarie Holden (IRE) |
| 2016 6:52.40 | Venitien De Mai (FR) 7yo 9-12 100/30F | Jonathan Moore (5lbs) J T R Dreaper (IRE) |
2025 Leinster National Replay
Leinster National Trainer Statistics
The leading trainer in the Leinster National over the last 17 renewals is W P Mullins, who has won the race four times, with those four winners coming from Emma Jane (2009), Ballytrim (2010) and Pairofbrowneyes (2018 & 2019). One trainer has not had the best of times in the Leinster National; Gordon Elliott has sent a total of 21 runners to the race without recording a win.
Here are the Leinster National trainer statistics over the last 17 renewals for trainers who have entries in the 2026 renewal; those not listed have not had a runner. (R = Runners, W = Winners, P = Places including winners, Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place):
| Trainer | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| W P Mullins | 23-4-6 | +8.00 | +1.92 |
| Gavin Cromwell | 4-1-2 | +1.00 | +0.81 |
| Oliver McKiernan | 3-1-1 | +10.00 | +5.50 |
| Gordon Elliott | 21-0-3 | -21.00 | -17.37 |
| Thomas Gibney | 5-0-0 | -5.00 | -5.00 |
| Martin Brassil | 3-0-2 | -3.00 | +2.00 |
| T M Walsh | 2-0-1 | -2.00 | -0.87 |
| J Motherway | 1-0-1 | -1.00 | +0.70 |
| C A Murphy | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
Leinster National Jockey Statistics
Here are the Leinster National jockey statistics over the last 17 renewals for jockeys who have rides in the 2026 renewal; those not listed have not had a runner. (R = Runners, W = Winners, P = Places including winners, Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place):
| Jockey | R-W-P | Win | EW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phillip Enright (Bushmans Pass) | 12-1-3 | +1.00 | +0.93 |
| Danny Mullins (Shanbally Kid) | 9-1-3 | -2.50 | -0.56 |
| Simon Torrens (Uhavemeinstitches) | 4-1-1 | +5.50 | +2.31 |
| Mark Walsh (Goraibhmaithagat) | 7-0-1 | -7.00 | -6.06 |
| Conor Stone-Walsh (The Lovely Man) | 2-0-1 | -2.00 | +11.00 |
| Gavin Brouder (Built By Ballymore) | 2-0-0 | -2.00 | -2.00 |
| Anna McGuinness (High Class Hero) | 1-0-0 | -1.00 | -1.00 |
2026 Leinster National Trends
Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): 1, (5, 7), 9, 7, (4, 14), 3, 6, 1, PU, 6, 10, 8, 2, (1, 7), 6, 6, 7
The percentage shown is the proportion of runners who fell under that factor. High percentages are less appealing than lower ones, as you would expect them to do well.
- 17 / 17 (77%) - Not at FAI/GAL/THU (Last Win)
- 17 / 17 (79%) - No bigger than 25/1 (Career Place)
- 17 / 17 (80%) - Ran over 2m1f - 3m3f (LTO)
- 17 / 17 (81%) - Not BB/BL/BR/CH in colour
- 17 / 17 (86%) - Carried no more than 158lbs
- 17 / 17 (86%) - Ran in 2 - 9 races (1 Year)
- 17 / 17 (87%) - Had 2 - 6 wins (Career)
- 17 / 17 (88%) - Fewer than 10 races (Jockey)
- 17 / 17 (88%) - Ran in 2 - 7 races (180 Days)
- 17 / 17 (89%) - Achieved a TS of 63+ (Last 5)
- 17 / 17 (89%) - Ran in 2 - 8 races (Season)
- 17 / 17 (89%) - Placed within last 7 starts
- 17 / 17 (89%) - Achieved an RPR of 121+ (Last 5)
- 16 / 17 (54%) - No bigger than 12/1
- 15 / 17 (51%) - Within the first 6 of the market
Remember to use the trends listed above, along with the Naas racing predictions, to see if you can find the winner of the Leinster National. Did you know that we have an OLBG Betting School section on OLBG? It is a place to help you improve your betting experience with articles covering numerous topics.
Are you already a member? If not, then why not? With over £6,000 given away each month in the tipster competition, why not get involved? Remember, it is completely FREE! So, head over to the registration page to sign up today! If you are already a member, then share your thoughts on the Leinster National by adding a tip on the race here.
101 Ways to find Winners in Horse Racing
Leinster National Trend Shortlist
Naas will host the 2026 renewal of the Leinster National, which will be run at 4:02 pm on Sunday, 8th March 2026, and these are the runners who perform best based on the trends, along with the trainer, jockey and their record in the race (Runs-Wins-Places Win LSP / EW LSP):
- 15/15 Ballybow (12/1)
- Gordon Elliott (21-0-3 -21.00 / -17.37)
- Josh Williamson (0-0-0 0.00 / 0.00)
- 15/15 Goraibhmaithagat (4/1)
- C A Murphy (1-0-0 -1.00 / -1.00)
- Mark Walsh (7-0-1 -7.00 / -6.06)
Others: Buachaillbocht (14/15), Built By Ballymore (14/15), Harvard Guy (13/15), Shanbally Kid (13/15), High Class Hero (13/15), Uhavemeinstitches (13/15), Chosen Witness (12/15), Sa Majeste (12/15), The Lovely Man (12/15), Grandero Bello (11/15), Kinturk Kalanisi (11/15), Prophets Corner (11/15), Velvet Elvis (11/15) and Bushmans Pass (9/15).
*Trainer & Jockey numbers are Runs-Wins-Places Win LSP / EW LSP, Runners, Odds and Trends Passed/Failed correct at the time of posting (12:40 pm Friday 6th March 2026), if no odds were available at the time of posting, then forecasted odds are used.
Leinster National Trend Analysis
✅ The trend factor, which has produced 9+ winners and shows the best LSP, an LSP of +72.00, is when runners had 2 starts in the past 180 days.
❌ The worst performing factor that has failed to produce a single winner is when runners had 4 starts in the past 180 days, when backing these, the trend shows a record of 0-56.
The course which has produced the most winners of the Leinster National is Gowran Park; there have been a total of 5 winners of this race who ran at Gowran Park last time out. The next best course, which has produced the second most winners, is Navan; there have been a total of 4 winners of this race who ran at Navan last time out.
The race is open to both sexes, with male runners having produced a total of 15 winners from a total of 209 runners, while female runners have produced 2 winners from a total of 19 runners.
Looking over the past renewals, these are the stallions whose offspring have produced multiple winners of the Leinster National:
- Luso (3 Wins)
- Oscar (2 Wins)
These are the stallions whose offspring have not produced a winner of the Leinster National despite multiple attempts:
- Old Vic (0 Wins from 11 runners)
- Presenting (0 Wins from 9 runners)
- Bob Back (0 Wins from 5 runners)
- Snurge (0 Wins from 5 runners)
Looking at the winning odds over the last 17 renewals, the biggest-priced winner was Benefit Night in 2011, winning for Daniel William O'Sullivan at odds of 33/1 under the guidance of Davy Condon. Looking at the runners at the head of the market over the last 17 renewals, there have been 3 winning favourites in the race. Before placing your bet on the 2026 Leinster National, head over to see which runners the best racing tipsters are tipping today. If you are interested in other races at the Naas racecourse, then why not read our blog for the Ballymore Novice Hurdle?
Route to the Leinster National
Many trainers target races as preparation for the Leinster National. These are the races which the recent winners ran in before coming here:
| Info | Last Race |
|---|---|
| 2025 - Bushmans Pass Punchestown - PU of 17 (13/2) | Punchestown Grand National Trial |
| 2024 - Hartur Darc Clonmel - 1st of 7 (11/10) | Monksgrange Beginners Chase |
| 2023 - Espanito Bello Gowran Park - 5th of 18 (8/1) | Thyestes Chase |
| 2022 - Diol Ker Gowran Park - 4th of 18 (15/2) | Thyestes Chase |
| 2021 - Scoir Mear Leopardstown - 5th of 22 (33/1) | Dublin Racing Festival Handicap Chase |
| 2020 - Cap York Navan - 9th of 12 (9/1) | Eco Friendly Cups Beginners Chase |
| 2019 - Pairofbrowneyes Gowran Park - 13th of 18 (16/1) | Thyestes Chase |
| 2018 - Pairofbrowneyes Leopardstown - 10th of 18 (25/1) | "Bet Through The Racing Post App" Handicap Chase |
| 2017 - Abolitionist Navan - 2nd of 25 (16/1) | Troytown Handicap Chase |
| 2016 - Venitien De Mai Down Royal - 1st of 6 (11/8) | Rodney Watson Memorial Beginners Chase |
Article Contributor Information
We are fortunate to have an excellent team of specialists and experts at OLBG. Contributing to the creation and maintenance of this Leinster National Preview are Andy and Darren. They both work on the Horse Racing Tips team, overseeing the tipsters and managing the tip settlement, while also creating and managing all the horse racing event previews for National Hunt Racing.
Darren Brett
Expert Guide
Andy Powell
Expert Guide
