Grand National preview

Any Second Now is fancied to provide trainer Ted Walsh with another famous victory in the Randox Grand National at Aintree.

It is 21 years since the heavily backed Papillon brought the house down when winning the world’s most famous steeplechase for Walsh, ridden by his son Ruby.

A couple of decades on, Any Second Now will line up with a not dissimilar profile – both horses having proved able to win at a high level over just two miles before heading to Aintree.

Walsh’s current National hope won the same Grade Three contest that Papillon landed at Naas en route to his Aintree triumph, in February of last year, but was of course denied a trip across the Irish Sea 12 months ago after the

coronavirus outbreak forced the 2020 race to be abandoned.

Any Second Now’s first few starts of this season were nothing to write home about, but he has been trained for one day and one day only – and could hardly have been more impressive in beating the high-class Castlegrace Paddy in the Webster Cup at Navan last time.

While that victory was again over just two miles, the JP McManus-owned nine-year-old also has proven stamina, having won the three-mile-twofurlong Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival two seasons ago.

Hot favourite Cloth Cap is a huge danger. But backing a horse in a Grand National at 4-1 makes little appeal, while former Irish National winner Burrows Saint and the Rachael Blackmore-ridden Minella Times are others to consider.

However, Any Second Now appears to possess the perfect blend of class and courage, and a bold bid is anticipated if he takes to the famous fences.

My Drogo has been very impressive in everything he has done to date, and can give the formidable team of Dan and Harry Skelton a Grade One to go with their hundreds of other winners this season in the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.

Sent off an unconsidered 50-1 shot on his debut in a Cheltenham bumper in October, My Drogo has since won all three races over hurdles.

Any Second Now is a Grand National contender.