David Dunsdon believes a "cold-blooded approach" can help him guide Sussex horse Joly Bey to Grand National glory at Aintree today.

The eight-year-old was bought as a 21st birthday present for Dunsdon in 2003 and he is convinced the £240,000 gift from his father John can emulate the 1981 success of Aldaniti and bring a second National success to the Downs Stables at Findon.

Dunsdon, 22, who has already ridden Joly Bey to two victories, said: "I will try to put personal feelings to the back of my mind and treat him just like any other horse.

"I cannot allow the relationship I have with him as his owner to be a distraction. I have to take a cold-blooded approach."

Dunsdon has the same attitude to the race itself. "The National has to be treated as any other," he added.

"I have to be very professional. At least knowing the horse so well will give me more time to concentrate on the race.

"It is such a unique one, 30 fences and four-and-a-half miles, so there is plenty to focus on.

"I won't know until the race if he will make the trip but if he is finding his rhythm and breathing okay between fences he should be all right."

Dunsdon is excited at the possibility of winning the world's most famous steeplechase.

He said: "It is not just a dream now. I have had horses in the past, like Struggles Glory in 2001 and Glitter Isle in 2002, that I hoped would give me a National ride but Joly Bey has a live chance.

"I'd like to think we can win it. It would be the high point of my life sporting-wise and something I will always look back on. I guess I will feel joy, relief and justification if it happens.

"I would also be pleased for my cousin, Nick Gifford, who has trained him. He has only been in training for two years since taking over his dad Josh's licence and it would really boost his career. That would probably be more important to me than my own personal satisfaction at winning.

"But you never know. There is a lot of luck involved. I could be brought down at the first or get dismounted by a loose horse. All you can do is is hope."

Dunsdon dismisses the notion that being an amateur will count against him. Only four have been successful in the past 40 years, the last being Marcus Armitage on Mr Frisk 15 years ago. "The reason not many amateurs win the National is that there are not many who race in it," he said.

He has ridden Joly Bey out at least two days a week in between his studies at Surrey University since the horse was purchased by his father at the Doncaster Sales in May, 2003. This week he has practised over National-style fences on the Findon gallops.

Dunsdon added: "He is jumping and looking very well. It has been business as usual apart from answering the phone and having my picture taken a lot more because of the media.

I try to take it all with a pinch of salt and stay relaxed and this morning I will try to stay that way. It is Nick who is more likely to have a gin to calm himself!"