The world’s premier jumps jockey Ruby Walsh is set to ride Bashboy in the Australian Grand National, who is a $4.20 chance with William Hill.
The Irish supremo was given the surprise call-up by trainer Ciaron Maher after jockey Steve Pateman was unable to overturn a ban for careless riding. Bashboy is looking to win the race for a third time, but faces $3.50 favourite Sea King, who won an unprecedented double in the Waikato Hurdles and Waikato Steeples earlier in the year. No Song No Supper is also ahead in the betting at $4.20.
"Despite never having ridden in Australia and only arriving on Saturday, Ruby Walsh is one of the all-time greats. He has won nearly everything there is and we don’t see why he can’t add the Ecycle Grand National prize to his trophy cabinet," said William Hill spokesman Tim Ashworth.
Ecycle Grand National Steeplechase: $3.50 Sea King, $4.20 Bashboy , $4.20 No Song No Supper, $5 King Of Dudes, $10 Zuhayr, $14 Dumosa, $16 Thubiaan, $23 King Triton, $91 Rabbuka, $91 Spartan
