Katie Walsh backed to become first female Grand National winner on Baie Des Iles - (2026)

Updated: 02/03/2026

Ridden by Katie Walsh, Baie Des Iles is being backed to take her place in the Grand National one step further and win the premier Aintree race.

The Ross O’Sullivan trained hope is gunning for glory in the Grand National and has seen her horse racing betting odds decrease somewhat from 50/1 into 18/1 in the space of a week. Although it wouldn't take much money down to contract the odds from 50/1 it is obviously a popular choice amongst newbie punters.

In total, the seven-year-old Baie Des Iles has attracted 16% of all bets on the Grand National feature race, proving the most popular horse in the race over the last 48 hours.

Total Recall remains joint-favourite for the National Hunt endeavour at 10/1, alongside Anibale Fly (10/1), Blaklion (12/1) and Tiger Roll (12/1).

• No mares have finished in the first four in the last dozen editions of the race.
• A grey has only won the National on four occasions.
• Her age is also against her, with the last seven year-old winning in 1940.

The fairy-tale story for husband and wife duo, Ross O’Sullivan and Katie Walsh is not inconceivable though with the rain-softened ground playing into Baie Des Iles’ strengths.

Her attractive race profile also includes a notable fifth behind this year’s Gold Cup winner, Native River, in last season’s Welsh National. Baie Des Iles gave O’Sullivan the biggest win of his career in last year’s Grand National trial at Punchestown.

With more rain forecast before Saturday's Grand National, it’s not difficult to see why punters are buying into what would be an incredible result if Katie Walsh rides her mare to victory.

Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek said:

Read more at https://www.oddschecker.com/grand-national/winner

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