Walsh is chasing National glory on 66-1 Baie Des Iles
Katie Walsh is relishing the prospect of her sixth Randox Health Grand National ride when she partners 66-1 outsider Baie Des Iles on April 14.
In 2012, Walsh rode Seabass to finish third in the Aintree race for her father, Ted, which is the highest-placed finish for any female jockey, and she has also failed to finish the race only once.
The grey Baie Des Iles is trained by the amateur rider’s husband, Ross O’sullivan, and last ran when finishing a creditable third in a Grand National trial at Punchestown last month. Walsh said: “Ross was delighted with her run at Punchestown. She had a lot of weight in very heavy ground and ran a cracker. It was a lovely run and I wasn’t over-hard on her.”
Baie Des Iles, who is set to carry 10st 7lb, will be taking on the Aintree fences for the first time, but this does not concern Walsh. “She ran in France and they’ve a lot of different obstacles over there. Touch-wood, she seems to be a good, safe jumper,” she said.
The Jonjo O’neill-trained Minella Rocco heads the weights on 11st10lb after Definitly Red, Edwulf and Outlander were scratched at yesterday’s declaration stage. A total of 73 horses are left in the race.
Minella Rocco finished runnerup to Sizing John in the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup, and was in line for another crack at that race last Friday before being pulled out on account of the testing conditions.
Speaking at a media lunch yesterday, O’neill said: “The ground got very heavy [at Cheltenham] and he has got a wind problem so that ground wouldn’t help him. So long as we get good ground [at Aintree], we’ve a good chance.
“He’s won over four miles, so he just has to get another half a mile. Top weight isn’t ideal, but he is a big horse, so hopefully he can carry it. He jumps well and keeps galloping, so the National was always at the back of my mind.”