IN their three decades at the heart of the Northern jumps racing scene, the Reveleys have claimed a host of big-race successes.

Mary Reveley saddled more than 2,000 winners under both codes from her Saltburn base before retiring almost 11 years ago, with some of her most notable victories coming in the Midlands National, the Cambridgeshire and the Cesarewitch.

Since her retirement in 2004, her son, Keith, has stepped ably into the breach, winning an Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival, a Blue Square Gold Cup Chase and a Feltham Novices’ Chase with the likes of Tazbar, Rambling Minster and Ungaro.

In all their years together, however, the mother and son duo have never come close to winning a Grand National.

Rambling Minster was sent off at 8-1 for the 2009 renewal, only to fail to complete the course, so when Night In Milan lines up at Aintree on Saturday, he will be tasked with filling one of the few gaps on an otherwise glorious CV.

“I'm the same as everyone and always watched the National as a youngster,” said Keith, who has taken over at his mother’s stables at Lingdale, situated between Saltburn and Guisborough. “We were point-to-pointing in those days and used to watch the race on a portable TV at the point-to-points.

“I remember watching horses like L'Escargot and Rag Trade winning and watching Crisp take a cut at those fences was marvellous to see.

“I haven't had too many runners in the race and even mother before me didn't have that many. I think she won the Rose Bowl for leading trainer at the Grand National meeting one year when she had three or four winners, but it’s never really happened in the National itself.

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“Mr Boston was probably one of mother's better chances. He was quite a good horse but it was just one of those typical Nationals with 40 horses and it didn't work out and he eventually fell.

“Robbo ran quite well for a long way one year for me until he decided it wasn't for him, and Rambling Minster was one of the favourites a few years ago and unfortunately he just didn't take to the place either.

“This will be my first runner in the race since they revamped the fences and I'm really looking forward to it.”

Night In Milan is currently trading at around 25-1, and while the nine-year-old might not boast the profile of some of the Paul Nicholls or Jonjo O’Neill-trained horses at the head of the market, he will line up on Saturday’s start line with a live chance.

He has won four of his 18 chase starts, finishing in the first three on 13 occasions, and was last seen when finishing a solid third in Doncaster’s Grimthorpe Chase in February.

A bold jumper who is suited by plenty of pace, he looks ideally suited to the unique challenges of the National, even if his ability to handle the Aintree fences will have to be taken on trust.

“We’re going there as full as hope as you can be for a race with 40 runners over four and a half miles,” said Reveley. “He's run three really good races this season without winning and I think he's been producing a career-best each time.

“He’s a horse who stays really well and whereas I used to think he had to be a front-runner, he seems to be getting a nice rhythm in behind horses now, which will hopefully help him.

“He's a very straightforward horse from a great Irish family that tends to improve with age. He's a nine-year-old now, but I think he is still improving a little, so we'll go there and give it our best shot."

Continuing the family theme, Night In Milan will be partnered by Keith’s son, James, on Saturday, with the 26-year-old having split his time this season between domestic assignments and regular rides for multiple champion trainer Guillaume Macaire in France.

“Apart from winning on Endless Power in the Grand Sefton, James hasn't got a great record around there, but it's a race that should suit him as he is a very good horseman,” said his father.

“He's ridden Night In Milan in most of his jumps races and knows him inside out. I think his plan is to hunt away early on, try and get in a nice rhythm and see where it takes him. If you can survive the first circuit you've half a chance.

“It goes without saying you need loads of luck and we'll just go there to enjoy the day, as it is a great occasion.”