RACE IS ON TO BE THE QUEEN OF AINTREE
THE odds of an historic first win for a female jockey in the £1million Randox Health Grand National have been cut to 8-1. Rain that fell on Aintree yesterday, turning part of the course heavy, prompted three horses to be pulled out. But conditions will favour two of the three runners ridden by female jockeys — Baie Des Iles, the mount of Katie Walsh, and Milansbar, partnered by Bryony Frost. Rachael Blackmore, who rides Alpha Des Obeaux, is the other female jockey in the race. Baie Des Iles, a 50-1 shot early in the week, has been backed down to 16-1. Walsh, who achieved the best finish for a female rider in the race when third on Seabass in 2012, said: ‘I’m loving the rain. My mare loves a bit of soft ground.’