Katie on course for National record at brother’s expense

Katie Walsh can join Olympic hero Katie Taylor on the pantheon of Irish sporting heroines today by becoming the first female jockey to win racing’s Grand National.

Katie’s father Ted and brother Ruby have both tasted success in the world’s most famous steeplechase, and she’ll aim to complete the family treble aboard 10/1 second favourite Seabass, who finished third last year.

Of the 20 horses ridden by females since Charlotte Brew became the first female National jockey on Barony Fort in 1977, only seven have finished the 4½-mile race.