BOOKMAKERS are making Cheshire jockey Carrie Ford odds-on to become only the third woman to complete the Grand National.

Indeed Carrie, wife of Tarporley trainer Richard Ford, will join an exclusive club of women who have ridden in the race if they decide to run their horse Forest Gunner on April 9.

It was 28 years ago that Charlotte Brew broke the mould by becoming the first lady rider. Her mount, 200-1 shot Barony Fort, was pulled up. Since then just 11 more women have taken part in the race.

Just two members of the 'club' have completed the course. Carrie will join Geraldine Rees (1982), now a trainer near Preston, and Rosemary Henderson (1994), who has since emigrated to New Zealand, if Forest Gunner gets round Liverpool.

As I've written before, Richard Ford is not convinced that Forest Gunnerwilllastout thefouranda half miles of the Grand National.

But he is seriously considering it now rather than take the shorter option of the Topham Chase over the spruce fences, a race which the horse won last year under Carrie.

If it's to be the National, Carrie will come out of retirement to ride. If it's the Topham, then Peter Buchanan will be in the saddle as he was when the horse won the Grand Sefton Chase last November.

Forest Gunner has been given a wonderful weight of just 10st 4lb. The other Cheshire-trained entry, last year's winner Amberleigh House, has been allotted 11st, which has delighted trainer Ginger McCain.

Meanwhile, Loup Charter was an impressive winner at Bangor-on-Dee's meeting on Friday, and is now 16-1 for the new Spa Novices' Hurdle at next month's Cheltenham Festival. nThe next meeting at Bangor-on-Dee is on Wednesday, March 9. For more information visit www.BangorOnDeeRaces.co.uk or call 01978 780323.

Next racing at The Roodee is the May Festival. Tickets are on sale. Visit www.chester-races.co.uk or call 01244 304600.