Horse Racing

Grand National News: Any Second Now grabs Aintree favouritism after Fairyhouse win

Planet Sport writerStaff Writer28 February 2022
Any Second Now books Aintree ticket

Any Second Now books Aintree ticket

Old campaigners Ted Walsh and JP McManus have a live chance of clinching the 2022 Randox Aintree Grand National with Any Second Now. A game win at Fairyhouse backed up the favourite status.

Ted Walsh's Any Second Now solidified his position at the head of the betting for the Randox Grand National on April 9 with a game success in the Tote Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.

10-year-old Any Second Now fended off Gordon Elliott's fellow Grand National entry Escaria Ten.

The win for the JP McManus owned Any Second Now was all the more impressive given he was conceding 8lb to his rival. Indeed it seemed as though the extra weight burden might take its toll as Escaria Ten pushed the agenda rounding the final turn, with Willie Mullins' favourite Burrows Saint tailing off.

Yet, Any Second Now found extra when it counted over three miles, one and a half furlongs and Mark Walsh just got his head on front at the line to win by a nose, with a full 42 lengths back to the disappointing Burrows Saint.
Veteran trainer Walsh said: "He can win at two miles, or he can win at three miles, or he can win at three and a quarter miles. That's what you need going to the National, a bit of luck. He's in good old nick.
"Six weeks to go and he didn't have that hard of a race, he got a couple of smacks at the back of the last. He's 10 years of age.
"I'd say Burrows Saint probably has a problem with his puff (wind) again, he cut out very quickly turning in when travelling really well.
"The second horse (Escaria Ten) is a good horse. There was a Thyestes winner (Coko Beach) in it, a Kim Muir winner (Any Second Now) in it and an Irish National winner (Burrows Saint) so it was a tidy race. The second horse was third in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and stays well.
"I was happy with my fella today and I'm glad I got a race into him. I'm delighted he got a few smacks and he had to go and do it. There was no point touring around. You want to be competitive as it is six weeks to the National, he needs to be fit and well for it.
"I'm delighted, I couldn't have asked for better. I was coming off the stand and I was delighted if he was second, and I was delighted that the verdict went our way.
"He'll go there (Aintree) fit and well with a clear run and everything going right for him."

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