Walsh on Sir Des Champs in Grand National

Ruby Walsh will partner Sir Des Champs as he seeks to win the Crabbie's Grand National for a third time at Aintree on Saturday.

Successful on Papillon for his father, Ted, in 2000, Walsh struck on Hedgehunter for Willie Mullins in 2005 and now teams up with an old favourite.

Sir Des Champs, runner-up in the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup, returned from a near two-year lay-off when winning at Thurles in November but has since been well beaten in both the Lexus Chase and Irish Gold Cup.

The 10-year-old is one of four runners from the Mullins stable and among three owned by the Gigginstown House Stud, who have had no luck in the National so far.

Their retained jockey is Bryan Cooper and he has chosen to ride First Lieutenant as he attempts to supplement his success on Don Cossack in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup last month for Gigginstown.

Gigginstown's Eddie O'Leary said: "Bryan rides First Lieutenant, David Mullins rides Rule the World and Ruby's riding Sir Des Champs at the moment. Bryan had first choice.

"Hopefully they are all ready to go on Saturday."

Patrick Mullins, son and assistant to his father, believes Sir Des Champs is on a fair mark.

"He was second in a Gold Cup and like Ballycasey and Sir Des Champs he has a nice weight (10st 13lb) to race off," he said.

"He had a lot of time off and came back and won a Listed race well. We then stepped him up to Grade One company and maybe that was a bit too ambitious with him having a lot of time out."

Mullins junior will be aboard On His Own, who was second in the 2014 Gold Cup.

The amateur rider said: "I can't wait to ride in the National and I think it is every jockey's dream to ride in it as it is such a magnificent race with all that history that goes with it.

"He has been there twice and fallen twice, so hopefully it is third time lucky. He was fourth in the Lexus Chase and ran right up to form in the Bobbyjo Chase.

"He ran in the Gold Cup and he come out of that fine so he goes there in good form. I am grateful for the Wylies (owners, Andrea and Graham) for giving me the ride."

Ruby Walsh's sister Katie, who came closest of any female rider to win the National when finishing third on Seabass in 2012, partners Ballycasey.

"He has got a great weight and is a former Grade One winner that has beaten both Don Cossack and Carlingford Lough as a novice chaser," said Mullins jnr.

"He returned to some kind of form when he finished fifth at Cheltenham. He jumped very well in the National last year until coming down with Balthazar King."