AND THEY ARE OFF! Couple romp on National course
Punters back brave Kate in biggest race
PUNTERS have shelled out £10million on racing pin-up Katie Walsh becoming the Grand National’s first woman winner.
The race comes just hours after she was trampled by a horse in a horror fall.
The 32-year-old jockey’s dream of making history looked to have crashed after she took a heavy tumble in a race on Thursday.
Katie – younger sister of legendary jockey Ruby Walsh – was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm.
But after being told it was just bruising, she walked out of casualty and declared herself fit to ride hotly fancied Wonderful Charm.
Her bravery won the hearts of punters who poured millions on the horse. Its odds plummeted from 100-1 to 33-1.
Brilliant
Last night Katie – dubbed Aintree’s Iron Lady – said she was determined to take part in the big race. She said: “There is only one Grand National and to get the opportunity to ride is brilliant.”
Katie, who was voted the sport’s finest filly in an online poll, fell while riding Distime in the Foxhunters’ Chase. She achieved the best finish by a woman jockey when she came third on Seabass in 2012.
Bookmakers are running scared they will be hit with a massive payout if she wins.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Female punters are showing confidence in her becoming the first female jockey to win.”
Katie is 6-4 with Coral to finish ahead of brother Ruby, 37, who rides 16-1 Pleasant Company in the big race.
Last night ITV’s virtual reality Grand National – run 24 hours ahead of today’s race – predicted 14-1 shot Cause Of Causes would win.
Sunderland football fan Bradley Lowery, five, who has cancer, is guest of honour today. The youngster, who has won the heart of the nation fighting the illness, has been named as the 41st entrant on the race card.
Yesterday race-goers warmed up for the big race by partying at the three-day festival’s traditional Ladies’ Day.
Champagne, wine and beer flowed from the early morning with many swigging directly from the bottle.
The booze took its toll leading to partying punters flashing their underwear, nodding off and – in the case of one passionate couple – having a romp trackside.
But most revellers did manage to put on the style.
Mum-of-three Faith Amond 64, from Co Carlow, Ireland, won a £35,000 Range Rover Evoque after being named best dressed race-goer by a team of judges including Olympic hockey star Sam Quek.
Other stars to turn out included Hollyoaks stars Nikki Sanderson, 33, Tamara Wall, 37, and Nadine Mulkerrin, 23.