Can a lady rider win the Grand National for the first time as the world’s most famous steeplechase returns at Aintree on Saturday, having been cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The National will be followed by millions globally as 40 runners negotiate 30 fences over four and a quarter miles.
It appears only a matter of time before history is made and a woman rides the Grand National winner.
Rachael Blackmore – fancied ride gives her a chance (Pic: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post)
Rachael Blackmore became the first female top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival last month and had the pick of contenders for in-form Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead,
De Bromhead, who last month became the first trainer to land jump racing’s ‘Holy Trinity’ of the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup at the same Cheltenham meeting, is now hunting a big-race quadruple.
Blackmore partners Minella Times who has been ultra-progressive this season with a win and two seconds.
He is fancied to go close for the top trainer-jockey combination and will be a popular victor having been backed from 50-1 in February to about 10-1 joint second favourite now.
Bryony Frost, who enjoyed a landmark King George VI Chase win on Frodon in December, rides Yala Enki for trainer Paul Nicholls.
And Tabitha Worsley, successful on Top Wood over the National fences in the Foxhunters Chase in 2019 less than two years after breaking her back in a fall, teams up with Sub Lieutenant for her trainer mother Georgie Howell.
The best National finish for a female jockey came when Katie Walsh was third in 2012 on Seabass for her trainer father Ted – who saddles Any Second Now this time.
She is now retired from race riding and believes despite Blackmore’s success, opportunities to create history may still be limited.
“Without doubt all those girls have the ability to ride the winner, but I can’t see a massive change in the number of female riders in the race,” Walsh said.
