Onenightinvienna sparks memories of West Tip in Grand National

They say there is usually a good story behind the winner of the Grand National. Step forward Onenightinvienna.

The Philip Hobbs-trained seven-year-old runs in the colours of Judith Luff, whose late husband Peter owned the 1986 Aintree hero West Tip.

West Tip was one of the most popular horses of his era, lining up in the great race six times under Richard Dunwoody, winning once and making the frame on a further three occasions.

Thirty years on, the same predominantly blue silks will be carried by a horse with only 11 races under Rules to his name and just four runs over fences. There will not be a dry eye in the house if he wins.

Luff said: "I'm someone who likes to keep a low profile and I don't like to make a big fuss of things, but it is very exciting.

"He's a horse we always hoped might be a National horse, but we didn't expect it quite so soon.

"Philip put up a very convincing argument as to why he should run - it was difficult to argue with him.

"He is only a seven-year-old and it's a big ask, but he's a sensible horse and is usually good jumper and if he progresses as we hope he might, in a year's time he might have to carry an awful lot of weight.

"Sometimes you have to take your opportunities when they present themselves, that applies in all walks of life, and I know Peter would be delighted to see him run."

Luff remembers the West Tip years fondly, even if she did not realise the gravitas of owning a Grand National winner in the immediate aftermath.

"It was a very exciting time, but when I look back, I don't think we appreciate these things as much as should do at the time," she added.

"It was such a thrilling day and from Peter's point of view, I know it was of the proudest days of his life.

"West Tip ran in the race six times and completed five - winning once, finishing fourth twice, second once and finally finishing 10th.

"I think it's a record that's second only to Red Rum. That might change if Many Clouds wins it again this year, of course, and he is the one we all have to beat."

Adding further spice to the heartwarming tale is the presence of Richard Pitman, the rider of the legendary 1973 National runner-up Crisp and a close friend of the Luff family.

He was at Exeter in November when Onenightinvienna claimed his maiden chase success and recalls the owner's consternation when Aintree was revealed as a potential target.

Pitman said: "Both myself and my wife Mandy have been good friends with Judith and Peter for a number of years and we advise Judith on a number of things.

"When the plan to run him in the National was hatched, we were at Exeter to see him win his novice chase. We were in the owners' bar having a drink afterwards and Philip Hobbs called me over to say he had this plan in his mind and asked whether he was mad.

"Poor Judith looked like she'd been hit over the head with a pickaxe she was so shocked! The horse had just won a novice chase and here we were talking about running in the Grand National.

"Philip's thinking was this is a very nice horse and in a year's time he might be handicapped so high it might be tough, so here we are."

Since that Exeter triumph, Onenightinvienna has kept good company.

He disappointed on his latest appearance in the Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot, but Pitman feel he is not without a chance on Merseyside.

He said: "He's a horse who jumps particularly well - he can stand off or pop - and he's one of about 15 horses you could give a chance to outside the obvious ones, which is the same every year.

"I think we all felt his last race at Ascot just came a bit soon after his previous run at Kempton and if you go back to his run at Cheltenham earlier in the season, he was only two and a half lengths behind Blaklion, who of course went on to win the RSA Chase."

Tom O'Brien, who was second in the 2007 Grand National aboard McKelvey, who might even had won had he not gone lame in the last 100 yards, has been ever-present in the saddle during Onenightinvienna's jumping career.

He said "I'm looking forward to the ride and it's great to be wearing the colours of a Grand National winner.

"He's a good horse. He's been running on soft ground for most of the winter, but I don't think better ground would bother him.

"He's not very quick, but he jumps well. He was a bit disappointing the last day, but was running well before that.

"Having finished second myself, it would be great to go one better.

"It's hard to make a plan in a race like the Grand National. I'll just try and get off to the best possible start.

"If I can see where Many Clouds is and try and follow him, I don't think I'll be going far wrong."

Luff is looking forward to making the journey north to take in the entirety of the three-day meeting alongside friends and family, but cannot even bring herself to contemplate success.

"This was always one of our favourite meetings. We always went up for the three days and it is fantastic," she said.

"We always found it a lot different to Cheltenham. It just seems more relaxing.

"There will be mixed feelings when I see the horse and the colours, but most of all I'll be very proud.

"I like to think of this horse as a special gift Peter left for us all to enjoy.

"I think there'll be around eight of us in the immediate party and we'll all be cheering him on.

"For him to win really would be something, but I am a realist and have been involved with horses long enough to know you need a lot of luck to get there in one piece and even more look to get around."