Plenty of cut in the ground is expected to play into the hands of Bashboy as the much-talked-about Australian 12-year-old bids to give Ruby Walsh a Grand National triumph with a twist on Sunday.
Walsh needs little introduction in virtually any jurisdiction where jumping takes place — but a trip Down Under to Ballarat racecourse in Victoria is a first even for one of the greatest jockeys of his generation.
With victories in the English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish Nationals to his name, Walsh has pretty much seen it all, but admits to being excited for what is an unexpected challenge, brought about by suspension for regular jockey Steve Pateman.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Walsh told Racing.com’s Racing Ahead on RSN.
“It was a bit of a surprise to get the offer and come, but Bashboy is a great ride to get and I’ve got a nice spare as well (Arch Fire),
“I’m very happy connections have given me the opportunity.”
The ride on the Ciaron Maher-trained star partly came about through a local connection with Willie Mullins, and has caught the attention of the media and public alike in Australia, with the course planning to offer free admission.
Renowned journalist and broadcaster Shane Anderson tweeted: "Ruby Walsh coming to Australia is the best racing news story of 2015. Like having Cristiano Ronaldo coming to play A-League."
Walsh went on: “Contact was made through Willie Mullins earlier in the week.
“I was told the ride on Bashboy may be available as Steve Pateman had been suspended on the weekend and had an appeal lodged for Wednesday.
“I didn’t have that many commitments here in Ireland so I was glad to take the opportunity.
“I’ve been looking at his form and he looks to be an incredible horse and a really good stayer.
“He seems to handle testing conditions which it looks likely to be on Sunday.
“There are a lot of things going in his favour and Ciaron is very happy with him and I know Steve Pateman is very disappointed to be missing out on the ride.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Something of an institution in his homeland, Bashboy has twice won the National, but must defy a welter burden and the history books as no horse has carried such a weight to victory since 1957.
The race is traditionally run at Sandown, which is undergoing renovation, and its initial move to Ballarat saw a postponement due to wet weather — something which is not seen as a negative to Bashboy’s chance.
Walsh told Racing UK: “He’s won the race twice in the past and, I’m told, is in very good form.
“They had an unusually wet winter, so it might be a case of whatever handles the testing ground the best.
“I am told my fellow will, and hopefully they’re right.”
Maher said: “He can’t have it wet enough. It was very testing when he took to the track on Tuesday and he came through that well.
“It should have set him up a treat for the weekend.
“It would be an amazing achievement if he could win the race three times. I’d be a very proud man.
“I won’t needed to tell Ruby what to do. He’ll have done his homework and is a world-class jockey.”
