Katie’s odds are slashed

BOOKMAKERS are bracing themselves for an avalanche of support for the runners ridden by the three female jockeys in Saturday’s Randox Health Grand National at Aintree.

Coral and Ladbrokes both cut the odds of Katie Walsh’s mount Baie Des Iles yesterday. The grey mare, trained by Walsh’s husband Ross O’Sullivan, was a 50-1 shot on Monday but is now at 20-1. Ladbrokes cut the price of victory for a female jockey to 10-1.

Also in the race are Bryony Frost on Milansbar (33-1) and Rachael Blackmore on Alpha Des Obeaux (40-1).

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: ‘We are expecting a lot of bets on the girl jockeys, especially with female empowerment so much in the news.

‘But Baie Des Iles is not just being backed because Katie is riding. A lot of good judges are tipping her.’

Dave Stevens of Coral added: ‘There is every chance Baie Des Iles could halve in price yet.’