Tony McCoy and Ruby Walsh predict a woman will win the Grand National

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/07/tony-mccoy-ruby-walsh-woman-grand-national

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The two greatest riding talents of jump racing united in agreeing on Tuesday that it is “a matter of time” before a woman jockey rides the winner of the Grand National. Tony McCoy and Ruby Walsh made the same observation independently of each other on the day after Walsh’s sister, Katie, won the Irish Grand National aboard the 20-1 shot Thunder And Roses.

Other equine sports take female participation for granted but the jumps weighing room has remained a male dominated environment. Walsh and her sister-in-law, Nina Carberry, have been the exceptions in Ireland as well as in major British races for some years, though they continue to ride as amateurs. Lucy Alexander, Rachael Green and Bridget Andrews work as professional jump jockeys in Britain but all three are well outside the top 50 jockeys this season.

But, as Walsh reflected on his sister’s triumph, he suggested there is no good reason why more women should not break through. “Racing is one of the few sports in which women have to compete against men without any allowances,” he said. “It is like for like and they are proving up to it, so it is only a matter of time before one of them gets a ride good enough to win the English Grand National.

“Katie’s strengths are tactical and mental. She has a really good racing brain. She can read a race and it doesn’t matter what gender you are to do that.”

McCoy expressed a similar view while preparing to take his final Irish rides at Fairyhouse. “There’s more female jockeys competing now,” he said, naming Walsh, Carberry and Alexander. “I think it’s only a matter of time before a woman wins the Grand National. I think they are very capable, those three in particular, and there’s no reason they can’t win the Grand National if they get on the right horse.” The champion jockey made his comments on William Hill Radio, while Walsh spoke through his Racing UK blog.

Naturally, McCoy must hope the promised breakthrough does not come in this year’s version of the Aintree race, as he will be taking part for the last time and riding the favourite, Shutthefrontdoor. Katie Walsh might come in for the ride on Broadway Buffalo if that horse makes the final cut for the race, which seems unlikely. Carberry is booked for the 33-1 shot First Lieutenant, whose trainer, Mouse Morris, saddled the second and fourth in the Irish equivalent.

“The horse couldn’t be better, we just want a bit of luck now,” Morris said. “Everything we’ve run of late has run well, so fingers crossed.

“Nina has been and popped the horse over some Aintree fences and they seemed to get on fine. She’s a brilliant jockey for Aintree. Hopefully he’ll give her a great ride. I think he will.

“It was great for Katie to win the race on Monday and hopefully Nina can do the same at the weekend. We’ll try to keep the women happy!”

Denis O’Regan has been booked to ride last year’s Scottish National winner, Al Co, in the Aintree race, taking the place of Jamie Moore, who broke a leg last week. Will Kennedy has chosen to ride Super Duty, leaving Royale Knight to Brendan Powell.

Aintree’s clerk of the course, Andrew Tulloch, said he was watering the hurdles and chase circuits but not the National course, which has dried out to good to soft going from soft in places.