Ruby Walsh gives his verdict on the 2022 Grand National
By Ruby Walsh
Last Updated: Fri 14 Jul 2023
The Racing TV expert analyst rode the winner of the big race twice and tells us which horses he expects to fill out the 1-2-3-4.
This year's race is very competitive at the top of the market, the Grand National has had to evolve with the times. They have done a great job and the race has become really competitive.
It’s maybe not the same lottery as it used to be. With a reduction in the number of fallers - something we've all got to be pleased about - jockeys don't have to second-guess loose horses around them so much and that's a huge thing that has changed the race. The pace is probably more consistent all the way and if you're not near the front, it's probably harder to catch up.
I think you want to be riding something speedier and some of these really strong stayers like Santini are going to struggle to lay up. I gave up riding slow horses in the Grand National and went for the speedier ones - sure, a couple didn't get home, but if you were on a real stayer it was just so hard to keep your position.
I think Fiddlerontheroof has a great chance and I think Longhouse Poet is another in with a good chance - I think they both have outstanding chances.
So does Delta Work. He quickened to beat Tiger Roll in the cross-country race at Cheltenham and he obviously has a big chance - but what I would say is that I think you will know your fate with him by Becher's Brook first time round. He needs to learn that he can jump through the Aintree fences rather than go high to get over them - he'll either enjoy it or he won't.
I really liked Fiddlerintheroof's run in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury - I thought it was a massive run and I loved the way he travelled at pace. I don't think Ascot was his target last time. They got a real race into him there and he could be all the better for it.
My Dad trains Any Second Now and I know he is very happy with him. He looked a bit unlucky in the race last year and ran a cracker. His preparation has gone well. He has plenty of weight now, but he’s fit and he’s well.
Any Second Now and Escaria Ten were only inches apart in the Bobbyjo Chase and they are both really big runners here.
Escaria Ten ran against Snow Leopardess in the National Hunt Chase last season and she is one of the big fancies for the race after her win in the Becher Chase. She jumps for fun and clearly loves these fences but I'm not sure I can see her turning around that form with Escaria Ten, unless they get plenty of rain. Escaria Ten should definitely be on the shortlist.
Longhouse Poet, who beat Escaria Ten in the Thyestes earlier this season, is another I really like. He was a high-class hurdler who has eventually found his way over fences. Even though he is a stayer, he has the pace as well. Martin Brassil has won this race before, he'll like the drying ground and I can see why a lot of people fancy him.
They’re all close to the top of the market, but I think the winner will come from those bunch of horses.
If there’s one at a price, maybe Run Wild Fred could be overpriced at 25/1, but I’ll be surprised if there’s a bigger shock outside of that.
Minella Times is top-weight having made history with Rachael Blackmore last year and has to deal with the price of success for that victory! He ran a cracking race at Leopardstown on his way to this race last year and didn't seem to run so well this year. He did get hampered but he doesn't seem to be in the same form.
Ruby Walsh's 2022 Randox Grand National verdict
1 Any Second Now2 Longhouse Poet3 Fiddlerontheroof4 Delta Work
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