After an eight-year wait for Grand National success, many expect the seaside town of Saltburn to deliver a winner for the region this afternoon in the world’s most famous steeplechase, as Adam Murray discovered.

WHEN Red Marauder avoided the carnage that saw only four complete the Grand National course in 2001 – two of those remounting – the 33/1 success for County Durham trainer Norman Mason was a victory based on substance rather than style.

A great day for racing in the region but jockey that day, Richard Guest, admitted the horse was “probably the worst jumper ever to win the National”

as torrential rain saw the event degenerate into farce.

At about 4.15pm today, James Reveley will aim to put on a jumping exhibition that will culminate with Rambling Minster holding off all-comers to bring the crown back to the region.

The Reveley family may have all enjoyed the same dream this week at their Saltburn base – James clearing the last with a ten-length lead over his nearest rival.

If the tipsters are anything to go by, it seems a highly likely scenario.

BBC commentators Clare Balding and Peter Scudamore are the two latest to join the Minster massive, and it will be no surprise if the classy bay gelding with the striking white face ends up in the winners’ enclosure this afternoon.

For trainer Keith Reveley, however, he’ll be more than happy just to see Rambling back in his horse box safe and sound ready for the 150-mile journey back to Cleveland.

“He’s had a great season and we’ve had this in mind all along. He’s won at Cheltenham and his Haydock win was a career- best,” said Keith.

“But there’s 40 horses in the race and 30 of those have some sort of chance. Gone are the days where at least half the field were no-hopers.

“We go there hopeful but I’ll be happy to see the horse safe and sound in his box ready to go home.”

In the sporting world of today, winning is supposed to be everything. It may seem trite to many to talk of seeing your animal back in its horse box, but the death of Exotic Dancer on Thursday at Aintree reaffirmed how horses and jockeys go to extremes every time they venture out onto the racecourse.

And it doesn’t come much more extreme than the four and halfmile marathon over some of the biggest obstacles in racing.

Jockey James has the added advantage of winning over the National fences on Endless Power in the Grand Sefton last year.

To some jockeys that would be enough to believe you know your way around the track, but not for the 20-year-old.

He’s been working with Chris Grant, the jockey turned trainer who was runner-up in the event on three occasions – Young Driver in 1986 and Durham Edition in 1988 and 1990.

“They’ve been watching videos of previous races and James has been picking his brains,” said Keith. “He’s (James) already won over the National fences at Aintree but any advantage he can get will be helpful.

“He’s very thorough and always wants to learn. He has gained valuable experience riding in France for Guillaume Macaire for the last two summers and plans to go there again in May.”

Keith and James walked the track last night after James steered Diklers Oscar to eighth spot in the bumper.

During that walk they talked tactics for today’s race and how best to play to the strengths of both horse and jockey.

Those jumping strengths of James, the location of the farm, and simple economics made the Reveleys’ decision to concentrate on long-distance chasers a sensible one.

It was in the days when Keith was assistant to his mother Mary, before taking over the licence in 2004.

Mary Reveley managed more than 2,000 winners in 22 years and among those who have prospered under Keith’s tutelage in recent years are Ungaro, who was once seen as a potential National horse, and Jass, who has won twice this season.

“We decided a few years back to concentrate on long-distance chasers,” said Keith. “In truth that’s where the money is.

“At the time I was here as assistant and we looked at our strengths, and with the team we have, and the fact James (Reveley) had a lot of experience at jumping, we decided to concentrate on that aspect.

“The farm is situated on a hill and everything was in place for training stayers.

“With hurdling it’s all about speed, but with the chases it’s more about getting your horse in the right place for the fences and minimising the disruption of the fence – basically jumping correctly.

“James has a lot of experience and has been jumping since he was 14 or 15.”

But can 11-year-old Rambling Minster really win it?

A good jumping technique, a winner at four miles and in good Les Dawson style, stays longer than the mother-in-law.

“The preparations have been spot on,” said Keith. “Last week we went to Malton gallops and did some distance work and we’ve been taking it easier since then.

“Leading up to the race it’s mainly very light exercise but you still have to work the horse every day.

“I saw what happened to John Quinn with Character Building over at Malton. They had a real chance this year.

“It’s disappointing for the trainer and for everyone associated with the horse when that happens. But that’s the nature of racing. There’s no point in wrapping your horse up in cotton wool – you have to have them right for the races.

“Saying that we beat it (Character Building) both times we’ve ran against it.

Once when we were real outsiders so we’re in with a chance.

“I’m not so sure about the odds. We were 16-1 last week then suddenly a couple of tipsters mention our horse and we’re into 10-1.”

The only question marks over the horse appear to relate to his temperament – and Aintree on National day is sure to test a horse’s mettle to the full.

The Liverpool crowd are as vocal as any in the country and it will be an atmosphere Rambling has never experienced before.

“Ideally we would look to take him to the parade ring as late as possible but that will be difficult at Aintree,” said Keith. “There’s a lot expected of the horses and a lot of waiting around and that won’t be a help. I just hope he doesn’t get over-wrought by the whole occasion.

“I remember taking Jass there a couple of years ago as a novice hurdler and even for that race there was a lot of waiting around. You have to go through the horse-walk tunnel and there’s normally a lot of noise so it can be a test.”

So if the £14,000 purchase from Doncaster sales a decade ago passes that test, clears the small matter of 30 obstacles and keeps 39 rivals behind him, then the Lingdale Optimists’ consortium can celebrate a famous win.

They will be joined in celebration by the town of Saltburn and many thousands of punters across the country.

Perhaps most concerning to those whose punting skill relies on the alignment of the stars and whether they’ve seen a single magpie on their way to the betting shop, he has never fallen.

Let’s hope he doesn’t break that particular duck today.