'I couldn't have asked for a better prep' - Aintree favourite delights Ted Walsh

Saturday: Fairyhouse

What looked a somewhat murky Randox Grand National picture may have just become a whole lot clearer after the admirable Any Second Now got his timing right to deny Escaria Ten in a thrilling finish to the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase.

BoyleSports reacted to the entertaining duel by cutting the pair to 10-1 joint-favourites (from 14 and 16 respectively) for the Aintree spectacular, a race in which the Ted Walsh-trained ten-year-old finished a slightly unlucky third last year behind Minella Times.

Escaria Ten, well backed into 13-8, looked to have his rivals in trouble when picking up and clearing away on the turn into the straight under Jordan Gainford, but in-form jockey Mark Walsh, who has now won on 11 of his last 18 rides, delivered the JP McManus-owned performer to perfection to score by a nose at odds of 6-1.

Bobbjo Chase: full result, replay and analysis

Escaria Ten traded as low as 1.07 on Betfair, while the winner traded as high as 19.5 in-running. The favourite Burrows Saint, fourth at Aintree last year, failed to fire in third and was beaten 43 lengths.

"He's a great horse," said Walsh, who won the inaugural running of the Bobbyjo Chase in 2003 with Rince Ri.

Ted Walsh on Any Second Now: 'He can win at two miles, three miles and three and a quarter miles'Credit: Patrick McCann

"He was a little bit unlucky at Aintree last year. If things had gone his way he could have been a good bit closer, though I'm not saying he'd have beaten the winner. He's going back there in good nick. A few pounds heavier, but what can you do."

The Grand National-winning trainer with Papillon in 2000 added: "Any Second Now can win at two miles, three miles and three and a quarter miles. I'm glad he got a race into him and had to go and do it. I couldn't have really asked for a better prep."

Analysis centre: 'We know he loves those fences' - Any Second Now enhances National claims

Walsh, who has campaigned Any Second Now superbly over a variety of distances throughout his career, took a somewhat different approach to the versatile performer's Aintree preparation this year compared to 12 months ago.

The 2019 Kim Muir winner warmed up for last year's Liverpool highlight by winning the Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase at Navan over 2m, but Saturday's assignment was a greater stamina test over 3m1½f.

Any Second Now: now favourite or joint-favourite for the Randox Grand NationalCredit: Patrick McCann

On how the overall Grand National picture is shaping up, Walsh said: "I'd say it'll be every bit as good a race as last year – it will be hard to win. A few horses caught my eye today.

"Anibale Fly ran a good race here [when ninth in a 2m4f handicap hurdle]. There are a lot of good horses in there and JP has a few others with chances. Snow Leopardess is a tough mare who stays too – it's a wide-open race."

Gordon Elliott was extremely pleased with the effort of Escaria Ten, who will now go straight to the Aintree feature on April 9. "I'm very happy with the run," he said. "Jordan said he was probably in front plenty soon enough but he jumped well and ran well. He'll go straight there."

More Saturday action:

Adonis Hurdle: Knight Salute maintains unbeaten hurdling record with third Grade 2 win

Saudi Arabia: Local runner Emblem Road runs out 80-1 shock winner of $20 million Saudi Cup

'Over the moon' Christian Williams lands dream Eider Chase-Coral Trophy double

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