Ted Walsh 'absolutely shocked' by Any Second Now's National weight

Twice placed in the Aintree spectacular, the 11-year-old will bid to make it third time lucky under the welter burden of 11st 12lb

TOUGH TASK: Any Second Now have to defy top weight if he is to land this year's Grand National. 

Trainer Ted Walsh was left "absolutely shocked" after Any Second Now was given joint top-weight for this year's Randox Grand National.

The 11-year-old has finished third and second in the last two renewals of the world's most famous steeplechase and will bid to make it third time lucky under the welter burden of 11st 12lb in April, after the weights were officially unveiled at an annual event in Liverpool on Tuesday.