Racing icon Ruby Walsh lifts lid on his two Grand National triumphs at Aintree
Ruby Walsh has recalled two of his greatest moments in the saddle by looking back on his triumphs in the Grand National.
The legendary jockey turned top TV pundit won the race in 2000 on Papillon, trained by his father Ted, and Hedgehunter in 2005, for Willie Mullins with whom he enjoyed tremendous success up to his retirement.
Walsh finished in the first four places on six other occasions at Aintree and Mirror readers can watch a video where he recalls his memories.
He said: “Papillon in 2000 was my first ever ride in the Grand National and he was my only ride at the whole meeting, but what a ride it was.
“What do I remember? Bobbyjo making a mistake at Foinavon, Hollybank Buck and Peter Niven appearing on my outside when we jumped the third fence on the second circuit, Lucky Town appearing up on my outside then under David Casey as we raced all the way back from Valentines to the Melling Road where four loose horses were galloping at us.
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“And then thinking I was going to win the Grand National as I went to the second last fence only for Norman Williamson to arrive on Mely Moss.
Ruby Walsh: RacingTV pundit has opened up on his Grand National successes (©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)“We jumped the last side by side. I went clear going to the Elbow again with the dream that I was going to win the Grand National only for Papillon to stall off the Elbow and Mely Moss to get a run back on my inside.
“Papillon rallied and from the water jump to the line I knew I was going to win the Grand National. It’s 50 yards, it felt like five miles but by Jesus I’d love to win it again.”
Luck also plays a huge part in success in the world famous race and that was a factor at Aintree five years after Papillon’s victory.
Ruby Walsh riding Papillon celebrates after victory in the 2000 Grand National 2000 (Ross Kinnaird/ALLSPORT)“I was lucky in 2005 that Hedgehunter knew exactly where he was going and when Clan Royal was taken into the corner of Becher’s Brook under Tony McCoy, Hedgehunter stepped right and jumped his way to the front of the Grand National field,” said Walsh.
“I planned on riding a waiting race but, hey, you are where you are in the Grand National and as I jumped the Canal Turn in front I was able to slow it down all the way back to the main racecourse.
Ruby Walsh winning the 2005 Grand National on Hedgehunter (Getty)“Choc Thornton outside me going to the second last but Hedgehunter was going that easy I even had time to look at the big screen to see how far in front I was. Maybe if I could draw up my emotion going to the Elbow and hadn’t set sail and won by 15 lengths, Hedgehunter could have returned the next year and won a second Grand National. He’ll always be my second Grand National winner.”
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