Grand National: Jockey Katie Walsh Hopes to Become First Woman to Win Aintree Race

Jockey Katie Walsh hopes to win the 2012 Grand National which is taking place at the Aintree racecourse, as bookies fear losing £10 million if a female jockey wins on 14 April.

Katie Walsh, sister of top jockey and 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Ruby Walsh will be competing at the Grand National for the first time.

Katie's debut in the race was granted aboard Seabass following Ruby's decision to commit to Willie Mullins' On His Own.

Katie will be joined by her sister-in-law Nina Carberry, who is also competing in the race. Both the women are hoping to become the first female to win the Grand National.

Carberry, who became the first female to win the Irish National with Organisedconfusion in 2011 will partner again with the horse for her uncle Arthur Moore, while Walsh will partner with Seabass, trained by her father Ted, a winner with Papillon in 2000.

"I'm just going out there to enjoy the whole thing - I might never ride in a National again," Katie told the Sun.

"I think a girl's going to win it one day and I wouldn't mind if it was me," she said.

"It was great to walk the course with my brother Ruby on Thursday. He gave me some tips, but I won't be passing on any of those at the moment," she added.

Bookmakers are in fear already that they would loss £10 million if either woman wins at the race.

"We expect both Seabass, who is 14-1 in our list, and Organisedconfusion, 18-1, to be very well backed by once-a-year punters and professionals alike in the hours leading up to the National, so those odds are set to collapse," Ladbrookes' David Williams told the Mirror.

"As a result, a victory for either horse would kick us where it hurts - we could be looking at losses of £10million," he added.

The 165th John Smith's Grand National is a popular National Hunt horse race which is held annually at the most famous steeplechase at Aintree since 1839 except few years. Forty runners and riders will compete in one of Europe's richest races worth for £975,000 in prize money.

The race will start at 4.15 pm and more than 600 million racing fans are expected to watch the race.