Father Ted: Will likely ride for Ruby

Irish trainer Ted Walsh believes his son, Ruby, is likely to ride Paul Nicholls’ My Will in the John Smith’s Grand National.

The star jockey also has the option of partnering his father’s Southern Vic and the Nicholls-trained Big Fella Thanks at Aintree on Saturday.

Unless there is a deluge of rain in the next few days, however, Walsh Snr expects his son to team up with My Will, the general ante-post favourite.

“I’m praying for rain,” Ted Walsh told the Guardian.

“If it gets heavy, Ruby will be on mine, but if not, he’ll probably ride one of Paul Nicholls’ runners.

“I don’t know for sure, and he’ll have to talk to Paul, but I’d say he’ll probably go for experience and ride My Will.”