Ford rode Forest Gunner to victory in the Fox Hunters' Chase last year
|
Carrie Ford finished her preparations for partnering leading Grand National fancy Forest Gunner at Aintree with a ride at Towcester on Wednesday.
On McCracken, trained by her husband Richard, she pulled up before the last fence after the horse began to lose ground following a strong early run.
Ford was granted a professional licence on the condition that she had two rides before the National next month.
She had her first outing at Huntingdon last week, finishing down the field.
Ford's chances of riding Forest Gunner to victory in the Grand National have been written off by legendary trainer Ginger McCain, who trained Red Rum to victory.
"Horses do not win Grand Nationals ridden by women, that's a fact," said McCain.
"Carrie is a grand lass, but she is a 'broodmare' now. Having kids does not get you fit to ride Grand Nationals."
Ford won the Fox Hunters' Chase over the National fences on Forest Gunner last year just 10 weeks after giving birth to daughter Hannah.