THE SAUCER-eyed glossy-coated welcomer who nods through the stable-door wins me over completely without even having to see him set foot on a racecourse, writes Richard Daniels.

We're talking horses magnificent racehorses and the Grand National, the famous steeplechase.

On the face of it, nothing much else is happening for miles in this midwinter landscape, except the wind ripping through the trees on the skyline above the Martin Todhunter's Park Farm Stables at Orton, enfolded between an expanse of moorland off the road between Tebay and Shap.

But if you could look into the minds of the work riders and their hard-breathing mounts as they descend the hill, there are dreams being moulded and here they all end up at Aintree.

That where's Martin's stable star Kingsmark is bound come April 5, when he will attempt to better his brave fourth place behind Bindaree in last year's National. Martin trains the top-class chaser for National Hunt racing's leading owner Sir Robert Ogden, and this week it was confirmed that the nine-year-old grey gelding will be going straight to the National without another run.

The star's not here today though. He's been at his owner's stud near Wetherby having a short rest from the usual routine and is expected back tomorrow, but there are some eye-catching prospects among the 30 jumpers and 15 flat horses housed on the transformed 110-acre former dairy farm.

But it's Kingsmark and his chance at Aintree that we want to inquire about and Martin says: "We'll know better when the weights are announced in February.

"If the handicapper gives him between 11st 5lb or 11st 7lb and he gets a bit of cut in the ground then you would have to give him an excellent each-way chance."

In fact, Kingsmark looked like a winner for a long time in last year's race and he came back not quite right.

"Ruby Walsh, who rode him, said that he over-reached coming over the Melling Road on the second circuit and he was never striding out freely afterwards, though he kept on bravely to the finishing post."

Those who backed him watched with their selection jump nimbly over the big Aintree fences and everything indicates he stays the four and a half mile marathon extremely well.

Kingsmark has become a bit of a Haydock specialist and it was no surprise to see him back there to land the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase in November when he carried top weight to account for Chives by one and a half lengths.

He was beaten on ground firmer than he likes at the Lancashire track behind Irish raider Sackville afterwards and now it's a case of preparing him for the big race.

There are strange wrongs in sport that cry out to be put right and if there is to be a National story, Martin has one to tell.

As travelling head lad to the late Gordon Richards, he had just watched Hallo Dandy win the 1984 Grand National. But in the congratulating throng, a jobsworth barred him from the hallowed ground.

"No I never made it to the winner's enclosure at the National," he explains.

"He wouldn't believe who I was and let me pass."

Aintree has loomed large in Martin's career with Richards favouring a tilt at the famous race. Hallo Dandy, of course, and bold bids from Current Gold (fourth), Twin Oaks (fifth) to go with the ill-fated Dark Ivy, whose first-fence demise provided the sadness that is triumph's other face.

Martin has carved out his own training career, having won £114,000 in prizemoney for his owners since going solo as a trainer, initially at Ulverston and for three years at his current base.

So far this season he's saddled 11 winners and is on course to pass the 20-odd target set.

There certainly are some future winners here and Zigaro, an Ogden-owned unraced Roselier gelding is one to watch out for along with another grey Silver Jack.

The Lord Cavendish-owned Gunson Heights, a Be My Chief half-brother to seven winners, should pay his way.

Also worth noting are Zoltana, sired by In the Wings, and Brave Effect, by Bravefoot, but with a couple of recent runners coming back with dirty noses it may be a couple of weeks before Martin's string are seen out in force.

The plan is to have 40 horses running over both flat and jumps within the next two years and ownership such as the type offered by the Cartmel Syndicate, who are having an open day this Sunday at Walton Hall Farm, Cartmel, means it is within reach of more and more enthusiasts.

"I hope you'll join me for drinks at the George (Hotel) if we win at Aintee," says Martin. You bet I will.

January 17, 2003 12:00