Grand National: Which Horse Will Ruby Ride?

The Grand National is less than two weeks away and Skybet are offering a number of specials on the big race, with one of the most intriguing being their 'What will Ruby (Walsh) ride?' market.

The Irish jockey is on the crest of a wave after riding an unprecedented seven winners at the recent Cheltenham Festival, but is keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to his choice of ride in the Aintree spectacular, saying: “There are two things that are all important in deciding a Grand National ride and they are weight and ground. First, we want to know how much the weights will go up – and second, you must know what sort of ground they will be racing on. I will probably leave it until early in Grand National week".

That's totally understandable as he'll want to ride the one he feels has the best chance given the conditions, although everyone I speak to thinks My Will is a no-brainer, and that one has been supported into 4/7 from 10/11 with Skybet. Andy Stewart's chaser ran a cracker when a staying on fifth in the Gold Cup and is effectively 8lb well-in at Aintree, although the weights are almost certain to rise by at least another 4lb, which would leave him on 11st 5lb. That said, he does have a touch of class and stays well so must have a big chance.

Interestingly, though, there has been plenty of money for Ruby to ride the Ted Walsh-trained Southern Vic, who has been supported into 3/1 from 7/1, while Big Fella Thanks, the Nicholls supposed second-string, has been lengthened from an initial 11/8 to 7/2. I know blood is thicker than water, but I'd be surprised if Ruby opted for his father's Southern Vic, whose overall form is unconvincing and is prone to mistakes.

However, Big Fella Thanks looks to have as good a chance as anything and, while his lack of experience is going against the grain, he does have scope for massive improvement over this distance. Furthermore, he's a fantastic jumper so might be more of a safer conveyance than either Southern Vic or My Will, who is also prone to the odd jumping error. If the ground looks like being good, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ruby choose him.

Skybet - What will Ruby ride in the Grand National?:
4/7 My Will, 3/1 Southern Vic, 7/2 Big Fella Thanks, 16/1 Snowy Morning, 33/1 Any Other Horse, Cornish Sett 50/1

This 'will he or won't he?' debate makes another of Skybet's markets interesting. They are betting on which horse will go off favourite for the big race, and My Will is 5/2 favourite with Big Fella Thanks at 7/1. With many punters prepared to back Walsh's choice for the Grand National based purely on his riding ability, either of those prices could be massive.
 
Skybet - What will start favourite for the Grand National:
5/2 My Will, 7/2 Butler's Cabin, 11/2 Black Apalachi, 6/1 Character Building, 13/2 Comply Or Die, 7/1 Big Fella Thanks,

 

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Tags: Big Fella Thanks,  Black Apalachi,  Butler's Cabin,  Character Building,  Comply Or Die,  Cornish Sett,  Grand National,  My Will,  Paul Nicholls,  Ruby Walsh,  Snowy Morning,  Southern Vic