Grand National 2023 tips: Ruby Walsh picks five horses…

Grand National 2023 tips: Ruby Walsh picks five horses to back in Aintree showpiece

Ruby Walsh has tipped five horses for the Grand National, with the legendary former jockey running the rule over the 39-strong field ahead of the big race on Saturday afternoon.

Walsh, who won the race in 2000 as a 20-year-old, has picked Any Second Now (16/1) as one of his five choices for the Aintree showpiece at 5:15pm. The 11-year-old won on its last outing at Navan in March, beating another of Walsh's picks, Velvet Elvis (33/1) in the Webster Cup Chase at Navan on March 20.

Any Second Now is trained by his father, Ted, and Ruby explained his choice in a column for Racing TV. He said: "He has proven track form. You have to stay to win the Grand National. We know he stays. He's trained by my father, Ted, and he's in good order. I believe he has too high a rating to win the race but he'll run a good one again."

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He continued by evaluating Velvet Elvis, saying: "He is a second-season novice who turned in a good solid run in the Irish National last season, plus ran well again in the Webster Cup. He's a bigger price than he should be, as I think there's a fair chance he will stay."

Walsh also picked ante-post favourite Corach Rambler (10/1), who has been joined by Delta Work and Rachael Blackmore's ride, Ain't That A Shame at the top of the betting market. He added: "Corach Rambler represents a stable who had a horse, One For Arthur, who came from way back to win the National. I think Corach Rambler is a similar type. He's guaranteed to stay. Theoretically, he's 10lb well-in, having gone up again for his latest Cheltenham victory. You have to put him in.

Walsh's final picks are Le Milos (16/1), who is also at the front of the field at 16/1 alongside Any Second Now. He said: "Only went up 6lb for winning the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and I think he's still ahead of the handicapper. He travelled well there and I liked his prep-run at Kelso, even though he was beaten. That looked a stepping-stone. Dan Skelton thinks he will stay and so do I."

Also tipped each-way by the Echo this week, Fury Road (40/1) was the final pick as a promising outsider to potentially follow in the footsteps of 50/1 winner from last year, Noble Yeats. Walsh said: "Fury Road finished in front of Any Second Now in the Irish Gold Cup off level weights and now he's getting 6lb off him. That makes him interesting."