Horse trainer Jenny Pitman is hoping to bow out from racing in style if a Bradford-owned horse can clinch this year's Grand National.

The Queen of Aintree goes into her last ever National on Saturday with horse Nahthen Lad, owned by Jim Shaw of Wyke .

The 52-year-old, who has trained two Grand National Champions, stunned the horse racing world when she announced her plans to retire from training horses earlier this year.

But pig farmer Mr Shaw is predicting a good run from his nine-year-old horse.

The 70-year-old said that horse is a good condition, which he would expect from the acclaimed trainer. "Nahthen Lad is looking absolutely first class and I think he is in with a very good chance of winning. But there are that many fences and a lot of competition - you just don't know what will happen," he said.

Mr Shaw owns two horses, but it is Nahthen Lad which has already competed in two Grand Nationals. In 1997 it finished ninth, but last year it fell at the 11th fence. Paying tribute to Miss Pitman Mr Shaw said she was "the best trainer for national jump horses," and that he was sad she was bowing out.

"It may be the last time she is training a horse for the Grand National, but she will always be around. I am sure that we will keep in touch, he added.

Mr Shaw said that Mrs Pitman always believed the horse has star quality. "Nahthen Lad is such a good jumper and when Jenny saw him she was just taken aback," he said.

At the moment the odds are looking good.

A William Hill spokesman said the horse had proved to be popular with punters. "At present it is the sixth joint favourite to win at 14-1 - the favourite is Double Thriller at 7-2.

"But any horse trained by Jenny Pitman will be a favourite with punters."

A spokesman for Bradford-based Graham John Bookmakers quoted the horse at 14-1, yesterday. Last year it was 16-1.

Customers at a nearby pub are also praying for a Bradford victory. Barry Dean, landlord of the Richardsons Arms in Bradford Road, Oakenshaw, said he would be backing the horse. "Like last year we will be holding a sweepstake and I will certainly be watching the National and placing a bet on Nahthen Lad," he said.

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