Trainer pays tribute to West Tip

Michael Oliver today paid tribute to the 'relentless, determined galloper' West Tip, who has died at the age of 24.

The English trainer, who discovered the gelding unraced in Ireland, recalled him as a 'natural jumper', though he revealed there were many ups and downs on his way to eventual Grand National victory in 1986.

'Only I know the full story,' Oliver said.

'I bought him in Ireland unraced as a five-year-old. He was a big horse, not the sort I usually like, but he was very light on his feet for a big horse.

'He was a natural jumper but from day one until yesterday he was as slow as a hearse - a selling plater would beat him at home. But he had tremendous guts and determination - he was a relentless, determined galloper.'

That determination helped the gelding overcome several physical problems.

'He had been in wire in Ireland and then he got hit by a lorry and had 80 stitches,' Oliver said.

'The year after we got him he acquired a minor heart murmur, and he broke down on both front legs in the Midlands National.'

Biggest heartbreak came in the 1985 National which he looked set to win until giving Richard Dunwoody a crashing fall at second Becher`s.

'That was worse for Richard - it was devastating for him,' Oliver recalled. 'I always thought if he kept sound he could come back and win it.'

Which is just what he did 12 months later, beating Young Driver by two lengths to give Dunwoody his first National success.

Remembering the biggest day of his training career, Oliver said: 'I am a very pessimistic person and I used to get very nervous but that day I was so calm and relaxed.

'I thought unless he was brought down he would win. I had no nerves. And it went absolutely perfectly.'