Western Morning News (Saturday)
Walsh can add to Papillon National win Any Second Now
ANY Second Now (pictured) can provide Irish trainer Ted Walsh with another famous victory in the Grand National at Aintree this evening.
Twenty-one years on since the heavily- backed Papillon brought the house down when winning the world’s most famous steeplechase for Walsh, ridden by his son Ruby, Any Second Now will line up with a not dissimilar profile – both having proved able to win at a high level over just two miles before heading to Aintree.
Walsh’s 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 called off.
Any Second Now’s first few starts of this season were nothing to write home about, but he could hardly have been more impressive in beating the high-class Castlegrace Paddy in the Webster Cup at Navan.
While that victory was again over just two miles, the JP McManusowned nine-year-old has proven stamina, having won the three-miletwo-furlong Kim Muir in the Festival at Cheltenham two seasons ago.
Hot favourite Cloth Cap is a huge danger, as is 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.