Odd couple's love of the high life

"Bindaree seems to have been the forgotten horse of this year's National but I thought he was a very long price at 25-1 the other day," said Twiston-Davies. "Last year he had a lot of little muscle problems, so he did well to finish sixth. But he's been mad keen this year and his win in the Welsh National over Christmas showed that he's at least as good as ever."

Shardam is young to be thrown into the National - too young, according to those anoraks who point out that no seven-yearold has won the race since 1940. But Twiston-Davies has never been a slave to statistics or convention.

"He's had plenty experience over tough fences in some of the best handicaps," he said. "He's certainly earned his chance."

Llewellyn knows full well about the role luck can play at Aintree. "I only got the ride on Party Politics because his regular rider Andy Adams was injured and Tom Jenks was due to partner Earth Summit until he broke his leg," he said.

Add in the fact that Llewellyn cost himself a third National success by opting to ride the strongly fancied Beau ahead of Bindaree two years ago, and you can see why he thought long and hard before deciding to ride Bindaree this year.

"It's never easy when you have more than one option in a big race but Bindaree has done it before round Aintree and has given me a great feel this year," he said.

Llewellyn has built up a lucrative sideline letting out houses in the Swindon area on the back of his 22-year career in the saddle. But he shows no sign of swapping his form books for rent books.

He said: "The Grand National is the one day of the year when the whole sporting world is watching us and, no matter how many times you ride in the race, it always gives you a massive buzz to be involved.

The question about when I might pack up gets asked every time I have a big winner, but with Nigel producing his horses in such great form, why should I think about retiring?"

Ironically, Twiston-Davies was on the verge of retiring in advance of his jockey until Bindaree brought him back from the brink in the 2002 National.

Financial and personal problems had been mounting but Bindaree's success helped him buy out his business partner and long-time friend Peter Scudamore.

The results since make the decision look one of the best Twiston-Davies has made.

With 75 winners and more than £700,000 in prize money in the bag, the man who turned down Des Lynam after winning the National with Earth Summit is firmly on target for his best-ever season.

"I don't do interviews" was his pithy reply when Des collared him that day.

Sue Barker is unlikely to give in so easily if 'Twister' finds himself in the No1 spot for a third time on Saturday.