Ruby on Big Fella Ruby Walsh will ride the Paul Nicholls-trained Big Fella Thanks in the John Smith's Grand National. Walsh was also considering partnering Tricky Trickster, also from the Nicholls yard, but has instead sided with the in-form eight-year-old, owned by Paul Barber and Harry Findlay. Big Fella Thanks is the ante-post National favourite following his impressive triumph earlier this month in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury. Walsh told the Irish Examiner: "I confirmed yesterday (Friday) with Paul Nicholls that I'll be aboard Big Fella Thanks for the Grand National at Aintree in a fortnight. "The horse has been motoring well and had a good look around the course last year as a novice. "He started this season off 150 and has been given 146 in the National and you would hope he will prove extremely competitive, especially after his impressive victory over an inadequate trip at Newbury recently. "He'll also be on the right side of 11st, so I reckon there's a good chance we'll get around and leave a few behind us. Big Fella Thanks finished sixth in last year's Grand National and is as low as 8-1 to win the Aintree showpiece on April 10.
