The Pitmans' Grand National

Richard Griffiths13 April 2012

Think Grand National, think the Pitmans. It is uncanny how jump racing's best-known family have become entwined with every dramatic twist of the great race's modern-day history.

First there was the haunting sight of Richard Pitman on Crisp, who jumped the course exuberantly but finished exhausted and was engulfed close to the winning line by Red Rum.

Then came Jenny, Pitman's vocal and emotional former wife, who became the first women trainer to win the race with Corbiere in 1983 and 12 years later was successful again with Royal Athlete. Yet the tears of joy that she has spilt in the winner's enclosure have often merged with hot, angry tears of frustration. Pitman's horse Esha Ness finished 'first' in the 1993 National that never was, when the race was absurdly brought to its knees by two false starts. She was also the first to condemn, live on TV to a taken-aback Des Lynam, the bomb scare that led to the 1997 running taking place on a Monday.

And let's not forget Garrison Savannah, the horse who sums up perfectly the exhilaration of the Grand National and the way it can drain all hopes of ecstasy in a few, powerless strides. Having won the Cheltenham Gold Cup weeks earlier, Garrison Savannah looked set to complete a memorable double with Richard and Jenny's son Mark in the saddle. Just like Crisp, the eight-year-old had jumped Aintree's 30 fences in awesome style, storming into a huge lead. Just like Crisp, he ran out of juice on the run-in and was pegged back by Seagram. "I suppose I was disappointed for a few days," the junior Pitman recalled. "But I have to say I don't have any regrets. No matter how rich you are, you can't buy that sort of experience."

Mark, now 35, was seven years old when he watched his father ride Crisp on TV, and went straight to bed once the drama had unfolded.

As an injured young jockey, he was there in the winner's enclosure, with a pudding bowl haircut and his arm in a sling, to enjoy Corbiere's success. He was at Aintree last year, too, to watch a race that he could not quite believe he was seeing.

Having taken over his mother's Lambourn stables, Pitman had high hopes for his National runner, Smarty. The race was run in appalling conditions and, incredibly, only two horses were standing jumping Becher's for the second time. "I couldn't believe it when only two horses were left in the race," Pitman said. "Watching it was so strange, because you could see what was happening but you couldn't quite believe what you were seeing.

"I suppose you are just praying to God that your horse gets round, because then you know you can't finish worse than second."

In the end, that's just where Smarty did finish, although the way he jumped in such desperate conditions left Pitman excited, rather than despondent, at having an Aintree natural in his stable.

Smarty is back this year, and his trainer is hoping that enough horses drop out for his stablemate Browjoshy to join him in the line-up. "Browjoshy has blossomed in the last few weeks and I would be gutted if he couldn't run. Both horses are in great shape and their preparations have gone really well."

Crucially, unlike some horses who take to Aintree once but sulk when they return, Smarty has already proved he is happy at the course by returning to finish second in the Becher Chase in November.

"He ran a great race and that has to give you a lot of confidence going back a third time," his trainer said. "What has given us great heart is that he has jumped very well both times he's been there.

"He's certainly got a winning chance but you'd be mad to say you will definitely win a race like the Grand National."

A victory for Smarty, or indeed Browjoshy, would provide one of those fairytale storylines that the National seems to pull out of its locker every year. Both parents will be at the course on Saturday, and an emotional trip to the winner's enclosure could even ease their famously frosty relationship.

"To have them there would obviously enhance the day," Mark said.

"The National has been a big part of our lives, and I'm grateful still to be able to play a part in it."

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