CHIEF Dan George will join Aintree’s folklore for Jimmy Moffatt’s Cartmel stable if winning the world’s most famous steeplechase, the John Smith’s Grand National, on Saturday.

The 11-year-old star of Pitt Farm Stables heads to Liverpool for a first-time tilt at National glory for the 38-year-old ex-jockey turned trainer and his team and it would be a fairytale win if one of the country’s smallest stables captures the lion’s share of the £950,000 prizemoney.

On a personal level, it will be a remarkable dream fulfilled for Moffatt, who only weeks ago was laid low with a life-threatening blood infection but pulled through to pursue the family’s Aintreee dream.

Moffatt said: “In January I had a blood infection and I was looked after very well in Furness General Hospital, but certainly the thought of getting this horse to the Grand National has helped my rehabilitation back to health at a time when I was in a really dark place.

“Winning the National would be a lifetime achievement but I am under no illusions of the daunting task that the horse has got to face.”

Stable jockey Paddy Aspell rides the Chief and Moffatt believes he is in top form despite taking a tumble last time out at the Cheltenham Festival, going for a repeat of last year’s win at 33-1 against a field of top handicap chasers.

He added: “Going for the National has been the plan since winning at Cheltenham last year and he is none the worse after the fall just three weeks ago.”

“Paddy said he is jumping better than he ever has done, so I am very happy and confident for a good run.

“The horse is in great form with himself looks well and since Cheltenham he has done everything we have asked of him.”

Moffatt believes he is fairly handicapped in the weights, and sees the biggest threats coming from the Donald McCain-trained Ballabriggs, along with the Gold Cup placed What a Friend and well-treated Bigfellathanks.

But he believes the Chief on a good mark, adding : “We have 10st 12lb, which is as good a weight as any and anything under 11 stone is generally a good racing weight for Aintree.

“We have run over four miles before in the Scottish National, so the distance won’t be a problem, but we want the ground running good or even quicker than good.”

Jimmy never rode in a Grand National but father Dudley, who still helps helps to advise and train the 30-strong string after handing over the training licence, partnered Cartwright around the Aintree course in 1979 only to be unluckily brought down at The Chair.

There is another chance of a Cumbria winner if Skipper’s Brig, trained by Nicky Richards at Penrith, gets into the field. He needs one more horse to drop out to have a run.

n To watch Patrick’s interview with James Moffatt at Cartmel, visit www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/video