Tom Mullins hails from a family steeped in racing history.

But he dare not enjoy himself the luxury of considering winning the John Smith's Grand National at the first attempt.

Nevertheless, the relatively new master of Doninga in County Kilkenny goes to Aintree with a sound chance of landing the world's greatest steeplechase with Chelsea Harbour.

Since taking over the reins from his legendary father Paddy Mullins in February 2005 after being his assistant, he has tasted success at the Liverpool track on Grand National day with Asian Maze in the 2006 Aintree Hurdle.

That was a year after his brother Willie took the big race with Hedgehunter.

"He's definitely still on target. We did have him in the Irish National but we decided not to go there, said Mullins, 43.

"It's so far so good. The horse has been doing everything right and he's in very good form.

"I've never had a runner in the National before, but I've only been training three or four years.

"It would be unbelievable to win it. It's something I've always wanted to do ever since I knew horses.

"I can't even contemplate winning it though - I just like going there. It would be too good to be true to win it, so I'm not even thinking about it.

"I just want to get the horse there in one piece and everything to go right on the day.

"If we got over the first couple of fences we might have a good chance. The trip would be no problem and he is in great form after his last run.

"His owner Paul Duffin, a Waterford man, is very keen. That's why we've not gone for the Irish National. He's been with me from the start and has 10 or 12 horses with me.

"The training has been going well, but when I took over from my father I thought it would be easier than it was."

Mullins' father was responsible for that marvellous mare Dawn Run, the only horse to win both the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup, in a career spanning 53 years but had no luck in the National.

"He had several runners in the race, but never had one placed. He did train Nicolaus Silver for a while before Fred Rimell won the National with him in 1961," Mullins went on.

"The first National I remember was Red Rum beating Crisp in 1973 and then L'Escargot winning in 1975, but the first one I saw live was Rubstic in 1979."

Now it could well be the turn of another member of the incomparable Mullins family to add another chapter in the story of a remarkable race.

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