Racing:Ruby Walsh has decided to ride On His Own in the John Smith's Grand National next week. The leading jockey, who had several choices in the famous race at Aintree, has plumped for the Thyestes Chase winner. Trained by Willie Mullins, the eight-year-old has been leased by Wylie to a charity for the day and confidence must now be high in the camp.
Originally it looked as if Walsh would be riding Prince De Beauchene, also owned by Wylie and trained by Mullins, but he was ruled out of the race through injury last week. Walsh could also have chosen Seabass, trained by his father, Ted Walsh, or Paul Nicholls’ Neptune Collonges, who will now be ridden by Daryl Jacob.
The news of Walsh’s decision was broken by Mullins on his website: “After some pleasing work on the gallops this week, Ruby has decided to ride On His Own in the Grand National.” On His Own had drifted to around 60-1 briefly on the exchanges on Friday night but on Saturday morning he had settled at around the 20-1 mark.