CHARACTER BUILDING could make history at Aintree tomorrow. Not only could he become the first North Yorkshire-trained winner of the Grand National for more than half a century, but he also gives Nina Carberry the chance to become the first woman to be victorious in the world’s most famous race.

You will remember Character Building.

He was the imposing grey, trained by John Quinn at Norton, who was hotly tipped to prevail over the fences in Liverpool before a foot injury ruled him out of the race 12 months ago.

This time he again bids to become the first grey horse to win the National for nearly 50 years.

So it could be a collection of firsts but Carberry’s joy should she win tomorrow will be Jamie Codd’s despair.

The apprentice had ridden Character Building to a brilliant victory in the Kim Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2009 and the two seemed made for a glorious reunion.

But then the ten-year-old gelding was sold to David and Patricia Thompson, the owners of Cheveley Park Stud, and they decided they wanted a new jockey.

“After discussions with Mr and Mrs Thompson it has been decided that Nina Carberry will ride Character Building on Saturday in the Grand National,” Quinn wrote on his website.

“Nina has proved time and again that she can mix it with the best and the Thompsons were very keen to acquire her services. Roll on Saturday.”

Carberry comes with impressive credentials.

One of the most successful female jockeys, several times a winner at Cheltenham, she would be first in many people’s mind as the woman to break through the barrier and win the Grand National.

Tough luck on Codd, but potential backers of Character Building tomorrow should also see fate in the Thompsons’ spending.

The couple have already tasted Aintree glory, having shelled out to buy Party Politics just days before he won the Grand National in 1992. And they are quietly confident, reckons Chris Richardson, Cheveley Park Stud’s managing director.

“He’s a horse who we expressed an interest in last year but at that time the owner wasn’t willing to sell,” said Richardson.

“Mrs Thompson approached John Quinn again this year and thankfully an offer has been accepted, so it’s exciting.

“The National is obviously competitive and they’ve all got a chance, but Character Building is lightly raced and I think John is pleased with him, so it is fingers crossed.

“Mr and Mrs Thompson obviously won the race with Party Politics soon after buying him in an election year and it is certainly an interesting coincidence.”

While Character Building has hardly lit up the track this season, there are excuses. His opening run of the campaign, in a hurdle at Doncaster, was over an inadequate trip, while in the William Hill Trophy, at Cheltenham last month, the ground was simply too quick.

With more suitable ground at Aintree, Quinn says he is happy with Character Building’s progress.

“It was tough to miss out on having a crack with him last year, but these things happen,” the trainer told The Press racing tipster Tom O’Ryan.

“At least we’re in a position to go again this time.

“I’m very happy with the horse, and I’d love to see genuine good to soft ground which would be perfect for him. Once I’d weighed it (Cheltenham) up, I was pleased enough with his run, and I’ve been more than pleased since with the couple of pieces of work he’s done at home. He’s grand.”

More omens arrive when you look at Quinn’s record at Aintree.

He may not have won the National but seven winners from 27 runners in Liverpool over the past five years suggest it’s a track which suits Quinn’s eye.

“It’s a place with great atmosphere, a magical place and it’s been a lucky track for us,” he continued. “Character Building is in very good form and has, I think, a good sporting chance.”