RUBY WALSH will partner The Midnight Club, the current 10-1 favourite, in the John Smith's Grand National.
The Irish rider has already won the Aintree showpiece twice, on Papillon in 2000 and Hedgehunter in 2005. And he has now decided to ride the 10-year-old, who hails from the same Willie Mullins stable as the 2005 winner Hedgehunter, and is currently the 10-1 market leader with William Hill, Blue Square and Skybet to repeat the feat a week on Saturday.
Walsh had the pick of the powerful National squads of Irish handler Mullins and British champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
But a delighted Mullins, speaking from France, said: “I think that’s what is happening and it’s good news.
“The Midnight Club is in good form. He worked twice during the week and we’re very pleased with him. Everything I have that is in the race at the moment is going, if they get in.”
Mullins has six possibles for the Aintree marathon on April 9. The Midnight Club, like Hedgehunter a winner of the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse back in February, will head a team which may also include Dooneys Gate, Scotsirish, Ballytrim, Arbor Supreme and Our Monty.
But the County Carlow handler is undecided on who will partner his other runners with regular riders, Paul Townend and Emmet Mullins, both currently injured - with the former almost certain to miss the National.
Mullins added: “I hope to sort out the jockeys for all my horses when I get home.”
With Walsh unavailable. Nicholls has turned to Harry Skelton to partner the former Bob Buckler-trained Niche Market. The duo landed the Irish National in 2009, but Skelton had to pull Niche Market up at the 27th fence at Aintree last year..
Nicholls, who has never won the National, could have four runners at Aintree on April 9. His chief hope is last year’s totesport Bowl winner What A Friend, who will be ridden by Daryl Jacob and is currently the second favourite at 12-1 with William Hill and totesport.
And Nicholls said: “Harry Skelton rides Niche Market in the Grand National. Let’s hope we get same result as in the Irish version. Niche Market is in great order.”
Another near the head of the betting is Donald McCain’s Ballabriggs, who is currently a best-priced 16-1 with Sportingbet.
The Cheshire-based handler, who saddled Cloudy Lane to finish sixth in the 2009 National, has reported his latest hope to be on course for Aintree.
Donald McCain has been happy with Ballabriggs ahead of this year's Grand National.
The 10-year-old was beaten by Skippers Brig at Kelso earlier this month.
But McCain told his Bangor said: “Ballabriggs remains in good form and will have a gallop at a racecourse before Aintree to get him spot on.
“It is pleasing that there are seemingly a lot of other talking horses in the race, talking themselves up the betting, as this takes the pressure off us a bit.“
McCain will have a powerful team heading to Aintree for the three-day John Smith’s Grand National. Stan James Champion Hurdle second Peddlers Cross will line up in the John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle, while Desert Cry - part owned by Everton FC manager Davie Moyes - may run in one of the Novices’ hurdles and Sagalyrique is pencilled in for the Topham Chase over the National fences on Ladies Day.
TODAY’S NAP: Lajidaal (2.10pm Plumpton).
