Papillon lands monster touch to etch Walsh family name in National folklore

Irish-trained horses had a dismal record in the Grand National before Bobbyjo's victory in 1999, but the tide appeared to be turning in 2000 after Papillon landed a huge gamble for father and son combination, Ted and Ruby Walsh.

The chaser did not appear that well handicapped before the race. He was 6lb below his highest mark and had failed to reach the frame in seven of his previous eight races. But a prep run in a Leopardstown handicap hurdle over two and a half miles, combined with a huge step up in trip, proved the perfect combination.

Tipped by the Racing Post’s Pricewise column at 33-1 on the morning of the race, Papillon attracted continued support throughout the day before being sent off 10-1.

In the race the nine-year-old fended off the challenge of Mely Moss to win by a length and a quarter and when asked about the gamble, Ted Walsh said: “I had a few quid on him myself but I backed him only in case he won, so I would be able to pay for the party. I had 300 quid on him at 33s and only a few small bets at 50s."

Papillon followed up his big-race triumph with a Listed success at Leopardstown later that year, but aiming to emulate the great Red Rum by following up in 2001, he finished last of four finishers in one of the most gruelling Nationals in history.

Papillon's career-defining moment was just the second Irish success since L'Escargot won for Tommy Carberry and Dan Moore in 1975. The gelding spent his retirement with Ted Walsh before his death aged 26 in May 2017.

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