Character Building leads the region’s bid to land this year’s Grand National. Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson delves into recent records to find that history might just give the John Quinn-trained ten-year-old more than a fighting chance.

IN April 1992, a month before a General Election, David and Patricia Thompson bought a horse that was entered to run in the Grand National.

Three days later, Party Politics galloped to victory at Aintree and made their investment worthwhile.

Switch to April 2010, a month before another General Election, and David and Patricia Thompson have again bought a horse that is entered to run in the Grand National.

Character Building might not be as topically titled as Party Politics – unless you count the Tories’ attempts to flesh out David Cameron’s personality traits as a pre-poll prediction – but the ten-yearold stayer will start today’s Aintree marathon as a genuine contender for the biggest prize in racing.

And having spoken with his new owners at length in the run-up to this afternoon’s race, Malton trainer John Quinn is hoping history repeats itself.

“It was a deal that suited everyone concerned,” said Quinn, who trains at the same Highfield Stables that produced six Classic winners in the 12 years between 1948 and 1960 under the ownership of the legendary Charles Elsey.

“It would just be wonderful now if it had a successful conclusion.

“I would say he has a good sporting chance. He’s a bit of a character, but he’s very genuine.

Most importantly, he’s in as good form as I’ve ever had him.”

Crucially, he is also in much better health than he was 12 months ago, when he was forced to withdraw in the week leading up to the Grand National after suffering a minor foot problem.

Character Building was vying for favouritism when he was forced to scratch from last year’s race, with a facile victory in Cheltenham’s Kim Muir Chase having cemented his credentials as one of the country’s leading long-distance chasers.

The injury cleared up within a week or so, but its timing meant there was no chance of making it to the starting line at Aintree, a setback that ruined an otherwise successful jumps campaign for Quinn, a dual-purpose trainer who then went on to record a careerbest 45 winners on the flat.

“It was tough to miss out on having a crack with him last year, but these things happen,”

he said. “At least we’re in a position to go again this time.

“I’m very happy with the horse, but I’d love to see genuine good to soft ground, which would be perfect for him. Aintree has been a lucky track for us in the past, and we’re hoping it’ll be so again.”

While Character Building was shortened to 20-1 after changing hands six days ago, an event that led to his apprentice jockey, Jamie Codd, being replaced by the more experienced Nina Carberry, he would probably have started at half those odds had he lined up 12 months ago.

This year’s longer odds reflect a somewhat underwhelming performance in the William Hill Trophy at last month’s Festival, but Quinn insists there are excuses for what, on the face of it, appeared to be a disappointing display.

“If that was any meeting other than the Cheltenham Festival, that ground would have been called good to firm,”

he said.

“It was too fast for him and, in the race, everything was happening a bit too quickly for him.

“Barry (Geraghty) realised from five out that he wasn’t going to win, so sensibly didn’t give him a hard race. Once I’d weighed it up, I was pleased enough with his run and I’ve been more than pleased with the couple of pieces of work he’s done at home since. He’s grand.”

There is certainly much to admire in Character Building’s make-up, most notably the fact that he has never fallen during a 21-race career that has seen him finish fourth behind last year’s Grand National winner, Mon Mome, in a three-mile handicap at Cheltenham.

He will be running off a career- high mark of 145 this afternoon, but still receives weight from the majority of his rivals.

A victory would be a fairytale for his new owners, and would provide some solace to Quinn after one of the most difficult periods of his career.

The trainer’s star flat apprentice, Jamie Kyne, was one of the two jockeys killed in a fire that swept through a Malton flat last September.

The entire Yorkshire racing community was deeply affected by a tragedy that continues to touch raw emotions today.

Quinn’s office is decorated with pictures of Kyne celebrating racecourse successes, and a National triumph would be dedicated to his memory.

“Jamie was a great little fellow, a talented fellow, and he’s very sadly missed,” said Quinn.

“You carry on, because you have to – it’s what you do – but me and the lads and the girls here will never forget him.

He’ll always be remembered.

Nina handed Character test

NINA CARBERRY admitted to being shocked when she received the call to partner Character Building at Aintree today.

The 25-year-old Irish amateur has been handed an excellent chance of being the first woman to ride a National winner.

She is one of 14 to have ridden in the race and became only the fourth to complete the course when ninth in 2006 on Forest Gunner.

Owner Patricia Thompson has been an ardent Carberry admirer for some time.

Carberry received the call this week from trainer John Quinn and said: “I just couldn’t believe it when I got the call. Mum and I have just been saying over and over what a dream it is to get a chance like this. I wasn’t even planning to go to Aintree.

Now I can’t wait.”

Riding plans for the grey had been in limbo after the new owners had requested a new jockey to replace Jamie Codd after their recent purchase of the horse.

Quinn said: “Mrs Thompson said she was a huge fan of Nina’s and said she would like her to ride the horse if Tony McCoy, Ruby Walsh or another top jockey was not available.

“She asked me what I thought and one could only say that she’s outstanding.

Mrs Thompson asked me to ring Nina to see if she wanted to ride and she said she’d be delighted to.”

A winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2009, Character Building is as short as 14-1 with Paddy Power.

Bookmakers have pounced on the Carberry booking to offer specials about her completing, doing better than brother Paul, who rides King John’s Castle, and finishing in the first five.

Blue Square and William Hill go 4-5 that Nina finishes the race and evens that she fails to complete, while Hills are 9- 2 about her her finishing in the first four.