SPIRITS are riding high in an Eden village this weekend as hopes for a Grand National win are pinned on locally-trained equine talent, Kingsmark.

Racing fans throughout the region will tune into the Martell Grand National, at Aintree, on Saturday to see the nine-year-old grey gelding race.

Trained by Orton-based Martin Todhunter, former head lad with Gordon Richards, and owned by Sir Robert Ogden, Kingsmark is being backed at a promising 25/1.

This is the first time Mr Todhunter, who originally set up training in Bardsea six seasons ago, has entered one of his horses in the four-and-a-half mile race renowned for its formidable fences.

Mr Todhunter has high hopes for Kingsmark: "These are exciting times and it is nice to have a run in the race.

He stays well and he's a clean and accurate jumper.

But in the end it's all down to luck at the Grand National.

"I'd like to think he'd come first.

If he had a stone less he'd have a better chance - but he is a class act.

It's good for us and it's good for the locals after we have been devastated by foot-and-mouth," he added.

If Kingsmark comes home first he will be the first Cumbrian-trained winner of the race since Penrith-trained Hello Dandy won for Gordon Richards in 1984.

Landlord of The George Hotel, Orton, Peter Graveson, who has organised a sweep-stake, said that there had been excited talk about the event and that he would be watching the race with regulars on Saturday.

"I will be backing the horse.

Martin has certainly got my support," he added.

Another Orton local who will be having a flutter on Kingsmark is Christine Evans, owner of the New Village Tea Room: "It's always good to back a local horse."

Mark Saunders, owner of the village shop, and a former manager of Ladbrokes in Birmingham, said: "People have been asking for tips and there has been a lot of talk about it in the shop."