KATIE WALSH PICKED up a last minute ride in the world’s greatest steeplechase the Grand National this morning at Aintree racecourse, Liverpool, when she came in for the injured Michael Fogarty on outsider Vesper Bell.
Walsh, part of an Irish racing family including Grand National winning trainer father Ted and whose brother is riding great Ruby, went close to becoming the first woman jockey to win the race when she finished third on Seabass in 2012.
Walsh, who began her riding career in 2003, replaced the unfortunate Fogarty, after he was passed unfit to ride following a heavy fall on Friday.
“Michael Fogarty was meant to ride him and I am sure he will get plenty of rides in the race in the future,” Walsh told Channel Four.
“I’m looking forward to riding him, who knows what will happen.”
Walsh had faith in her ride, trained in Ireland by champion trainer Willie Mullins, despite being around a 50/1 chance and having fallen at the first in a race over the fearsome National fences earlier this season at Aintree.
“He’s run well round Punchestown twice and he’s a good big horse.”
The race, which has not been won by an Irish horse since Silver Birch in 2007 while Mullins trained the 2005 winner Hedgehunter, is off at 1515GMT.
