Grand National Weight: Ted Walsh ‘absolutely shocked’ after Any Second Now was awarded Aintree’s highest weight | Race News

Coach Ted Walsh was “completely shocked” after Any Second Now was awarded the very best weight for this yr’s Randox Grand Nationwide at Tuesday’s weight lunch.

The 11-year-old has completed third and second at Aintree within the final two renewals of the world’s most well-known impediment course and can attempt to make it fortunate for the third time beneath the 11st 12lb welterweight burden subsequent month, after the weights have been formally unveiled at an annual occasion in Liverpool.

Walsh memorably teamed up along with his son Ruby to say Grand Nationwide glory with Papillon in 2000, however feels Any Second Now needs to be an “excellent horse” so as to add his title to the glory roll.

“All I can say is I do know he isn’t Crimson Rum, I do know he isn’t a Crisp and he isn’t a L’Escargot, so determine your self,” the coach mentioned.

“I am completely shocked he is bought the upper weight. He is going there in as good condition as he was final yr. He is nearly as good as final yr, however he is bought the upper weight, so decide- YOU .

“I believe he must be an distinctive horse to win at the most effective weight.”

Reflecting on his earlier Nationwide triumph, Walsh added: “Successful with Papillon was nice. Successful the Nationwide is a good second, however having your son on board makes it all of the extra pleasurable.”

Any Second Now’s joined within the lead in weight by Gordon Elliott’s 2022 Irish Gold Cup winner Conflated and Shark Hanlon’s US Grand Nationwide hero Hewick, who’re each certain for the Cheltenham Gold Cup this month subsequent.

Just under that trio on 11st 11lb are Conflated teammate Galvin and final yr’s winner Noble Yeats, coached by Emmet Mullins.

The latter was final seen ending third within the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham and is now on his technique to the Gold Cup forward of an anticipated bid for back-to-back wins on Merseyside.

Mullins mentioned: “I can not complain with a ranking of 166. That is 19 kilos heavier than final yr, which will likely be an enormous ask, however he appears to have progressed nicely this yr and we all know that. he takes the fences.

“He is horses for the courts and along with his fingers crossed he can placed on a daring present.”

Noble Yeats will purpose to develop into simply the second horse – after Golden Miller in 1934 – to win the Gold Cup and Grand Nationwide in the identical yr.

Mullins, nonetheless, doesn’t take the lead. “It is positively one race at a time,” he mentioned. “You do not take into consideration accolades, but when he is given the prospect, he’ll get the accolades he deserves.

“It is particular to have a horse that races in these sorts of races, a Gold Cup or a Grand Nationwide, however to have a horse that is sweet sufficient to compete there from a enterprise perspective – that is the thrilling half and what retains the center going.

“I’d say it hasn’t actually been totally built-in even now. Successful the Nationwide on our first attempt within the race, I’ve most likely misplaced all the things that goes into it and what number of different years folks have tried to win the race and failed, so I’d say I used to be a bit spoiled and I am struggling to know what occurred. I am certain sooner or later it can hit me.”

Mullins additionally listed The Shunter (tenth 11lbs), owned by JP McManus, and added: “It is [weight] nearly proper. He is nonetheless not certified I believe, over the gap, so probably he may have an entry subsequent weekend.

“I’ve two or three races scheduled earlier than the deadline and, fingers crossed, I choose the correct one and get him via. The intention will likely be to take his place if he qualifies.”

British Horseracing Authority hunter handicapper Martin Greenwood is the person answerable for framing the weights and is delighted with the power in depth of this yr’s renewal.

He mentioned: “This yr we’re doing nicely on the high for horses ranked within the 150s and 160s and there are a handful of excellent horses entered, together with final yr’s winner Noble Yeats.

“Noble Yeats is about 20 kilos heavier than final yr, however his type this season in graded racing is the explanation. The three horses on the high of the handicap – Conflated, Any Second Now and Hewick – you’d assume they’re all very more likely to run and it is extremely constructive that the standard of the race on the high of the handicap is there.

“There weren’t any horses that gave me specific problem this yr – they have been all roughly simple horses.”

With Henry of Bromhead asserting the retirement of 2021 winner Minella Instances, a complete of 77 horses stay in rivalry. Greenwood instructed that the possible odds required to make the ultimate discipline will likely be “about 142 or 143”.

There are three horses ranked 142 in Eva’s Oskar, Rapper and Recite A Prayer, which is 57th on the listing. Noble Yeats is the 10-1 favourite with William Hill, who diminished the possibilities of Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler (tenth 5lbs) and Mr Unbelievable (tenth 4lbs) skilled by Willie Mullins.

Spokesman Lee Phelps mentioned: “Any Second Now appears to have had the troublesome job of doing higher than second place final yr and consequently has been eased into our wager at 20-1 to 14-1. .

“However, Corach Rambler (14-1 from 16-1) and Mr Unbelievable (20-1 from 25-1) have been lower by our merchants.

“Corach Rambler represents a Lucinda Russell yard that just lately received the race and stays unexposed on prolonged journeys, which appears more likely to be high quality.

“Mr Unbelievable could find yourself being Willie Mullins’ first stringer and isn’t on show for the yard.”