Walsh backed for historic Aintree win

Punters are backing Katie Walsh and Baie Des Iles to make history on Saturday and achieve success in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree.

Walsh is bidding to become the first ever female winner of the National, having previously finished third in 2012. This year, riding the Ross O’Sullivan trained seven year old she is once again gunning for glory at Aintree and has seen her odds plummet from 50/1 into just 18/1 in the space of a week.

Baie Des Iles has attracted 16% of all bets on the feature race, proving the most popular horse in the race over the last 48 hours. Total Recall remains joint-favourite for the National Hunt endeavour at 10/1, alongside Anibale Fly (10/1), Blaklion (12/1) and Tiger Roll (12/1). 

Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek commented: “Jockey Katie Walsh has been championing Baie Des Iles chances for the National and punters are buying into the hype around the horse trained by her husband. The 2016 Grand National trial winner promises to relish the heavy ground expected at Aintree.”

No mares have finished in the first four in the last dozen editions of the race, while a grey has only won the National on four occasions. Her age is also against her, with the last seven year-old winning in 1940.
The fairy-tale story for husband and wife duo, Ross O’Sullivan and Katie Walsh is not inconceivable though with the rain-softened ground playing into Baie Des Iles’ strengths.

Her attractive race profile also includes a notable fifth behind this year’s Gold Cup winner, Native River, in last season’s Welsh National. Baie Des Iles gave O’Sullivan the biggest win of his career in last year’s Grand National trial at Punchestown.

With more rain forecast before Saturday, it’s not difficult to see why punters are buying into what would be an incredible result if Walsh rides her mare to victory.

The National always provides a stage for outsiders nonetheless, with Coo Star Sivola being well backed in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham over heavy ground, the conditions look to be in the 8 year-olds favour again at Aintree this weekend.

The North-West has already seen a lot of wet weather over the last couple of weeks and with more rain forecast punters have been backing him in their droves.

The grey gelding has picked up 5.7% of bets in the last 24 hours, second only to Baie Des Iles. That’s seen his odds drop from 50/1 to 33/1 in places.