Grand National-winning trainer Denys Smith joins the Echo's big race team. He talks to Helen Miller

AFTER 1,700 winners over nearly half a century in racing, Denys Smith is enjoying well-earned retirement at his home in County Durham.

Although the vast majority of those winners came on the Flat, one of them was the unforgettable victory of Red Alligator in the 1968 Grand National.

So who better to assess this year's race than a man with a wealth of experience and a winning record in the great race?

The 78-year-old finds it hard to believe that it is 35 years since Red Alligator - commemorated to this day in the name of a South Church pub - stormed home at Aintree by some 20 lengths from Moidore's Token and Different Class.

Third 12 months earlier in Foinavon's year of mayhem, Bishop Auckland-trained Red Alligator started at 100-7 third favourite in his winning year.

The cheers of favourite-backers had rung out across Aintree as the Gregory Peck-owned Different Class hit the front going into Valentine's but, galloping smoothly on the outside, Red Alligator moved into contention over the last open ditch and left the others for dead over the last fence.

A hint of a tear in jockey Brian Fletcher's eye showed just how much it meant to win the world's greatest steeplechase, which in those days was worth a mere £17,000.

Denys recalls the victory with a smile from the comfort of Holdforth Farm, South Church, Bishop Auckland: "I felt ten foot tall. I was right up at the top of the stand with my wife. When it came over Melling Road, I said to her we've won it now but she told me not to speak too soon. But I knew we had it.''

How sad that when Echo Sport went to see him at the start of the week, it emerged that the still-gleaming Grand National trophy had been stolen in a burglary.

Denys may have given up the game last December but he has still studied this year's runners and places great faith in jockeys with a sound record over the giant Aintree fences.

And he has a suspicion that today could be another proud day for County Durham as he tips Brancepeth-based jockey and trainer Richard Guest to come up trumps again.

Guest, mud-splattered winner two years ago on Red Marauder, has other runners in the race but will be riding Chives for Henrietta Knight.

The combination of a jockey with winning form and a classy mount - Chives ran a cracking trial when finishing seventh in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month - is enough for Denys.

"It is important that you have a jockey who knows his way around and Richard Guest definitely does,'' he says.

Red Marauder, an intended runner in today's race, was retired earlier in the week, adding a further twist to Guest's bid for a second taste of National glory.

Victory for Chives would also guarantee more emotional scenes from the star combination of Henrietta Knight and husband Terry Biddlecombe following the tears of joy which followed Best Mate's Gold Cup triumph.

Denys also liked the look of Kingsmark, due to be ridden by another National-winning rider in Tony Dobbin, but the grey is another late withdrawal.

Former Scottish Grand National winner Gingembre is therefore named as the chief danger to Chives, with Gunner Welburn and Killusty fancied for places.

"Andrew Thornton has ridden in the National a few times. He has always finished and Gingembre has been running well all season,'' says Denys.

He was a spectator at Aintree a year ago but has decided he's better off watching from the comfort of his armchair this time.

Despite his fancy for Chives, he won't be having a bet, saying: "I finished with that game years ago."

But don't be surprised if Henrietta Knight's giant bay chaser comes past the Elbow in front - proving that at 78 Denys Smith still has an eye for a Grand National winner.

DENYS SMITH'S NATIONAL TIPS

1. CHIVES

2. GINGEMBRE.

3. GUNNER WELBURN

4. KILLUSTY