Having won over the famous fences once already this week, Nina Carberry has the bookies running scared with First Lieutenant ahead of the Crabbie’s Grand National.
The price for Mouse Morris’ veteran has been steadily shortening all week and a legion of Carberry fans are due to unload in shops up and down the country.
With her dad, Tommy, and brother Paul already having won the race, she is seeking to continue her family’s association with the world famous event.
Just a few days ago none other than Tony McCoy stated it would only be a matter of time before a lady rider won the Aintree spectacular, and Carberry is currently top of the queue.
Horse-by-horse guide to the Grand National
Grand National sweepstake kit
Top tip for the Grand National
AP McCoy win on favourite “could be disastrous”
At the start of the week, Katie Walsh won the Irish Grand National and currently holds the distinction of a best finish for a female rider at Liverpool, when third on Seabass in 2012.
Coral expect a victory for Carberry to cost the industry millions.
“Usually you would focus on the racehorse’s breeding but in this case Nina Carberry is well bred to win the Grand National, as her father won the race on L’Escargot in 1975 and her brother rode the winner Bobbyjo in 1999. She is also in red-hot form having won over the National fences on Thursday on On The Fringe in the Fox Hunters’ Chase,” said spokesman Simon Clare.
“Nearly half the women in Britain will bet on the Grand National and many of them, and plenty of men, too, will be backing Nina to make history and be crowned first lady of Aintree.
“If Nina Carberry and First Lieutenant come home in front the nation’s bookmakers will be well behind to the tune of over £25million worth of losses.”
First Lieutenant was a top-class chaser not that long ago and while not the force of old, his handler thinks he is coming back to his best.
“This has been his aim all year and I’m more confident now than I was around Christmas time,” said Morris.
“He’s always preferred the sun on his back and he’s really come to himself in the last few weeks.
“We could maybe have just done with a few less pounds on his back.”