HAVING penned an editorial last week about the growing influence of women in racing, it was great to see Lucinda Russell saddle the winner of this year’s Randox Health Grand National. This followed Thursday’s great win for Lizzie Kelly on board Tea For Two.

Katie Walsh was in the news, showing steely reserve to get back in the saddle for the Grand National after a bruising fall on Thursday. Katie is one of four ambassadors for the Grand National, joining classical singer Laura Wright, 2016 Olympic gold medal winning hockey player Sam Quek MBE and jockey – and sole male representative – Sam Twiston-Davies.