Nick Gifford has expressed his delight at how Liam Treadwell from Arundel has developed from a raw teenager into a Grand National-winning jockey.

The Findon trainer first gave Treadwell, 23, a ride when he was a 16-year-old and has seen his confidence grow, especially this season when the two of them have teamed up so successfully.

Gifford, whose father Josh saddled Aldaniti to win the National in 1981, was as proud as punch when Treadwell landed the world’s greatest steeplechase on 100-1 shot Mon Mome for Venetia Williams.

Gifford said: “It was an absolutely fantastic performance. I’m chuffed to bits for him, absolutely chuffed.

“He’s such a likeable young lad and his confidence has been growing all season.

“I know the horse jumped well but he gave it an absolute peach (of a ride). He went round the inner, kept out of trouble and produced him spot on to go and win the race.

“You’ve got to keep your head and your cool in a race like that and he just did everything right.

“He was almost unnoticed for a circuit and a half. I was watching him like a hawk, but he never got a mention in the commentary.

“They were concentrating on the big guns and he was quietly going about his own thing, keeping out of trouble, went the brave man’s route down the inner. I’m just delighted for him.

“He’s a proper horseman. If you’re on a good jumper, which he was, you couldn’t ask for a nicer spin on your first time round Aintree, win or not.

“We were texting each other backwards and forwards the night before. There wasn’t just me - the whole yard was rooting for him. It’s wonderful for him.

“He had a great start to the season. Everything he was sitting on seemed to be winning and it just gave him the confidence. All young jockeys need that, they need to ride better horses and start winning and it makes them believe in themselves.

“He rides out here three days a week sometimes, and has been an invaluable asset this season.” Gifford recalled how he first met Treadwell. “I gave him a ride just after his 16th birthday when I was training point-to-pointers,” he went on.

“His Mum used to drop him off before school. He used to come to the yard at about half-past six. He’d ride one out on one of my point-to-pointers. His mum would wait for him and take him off to school. That went on for about six months and we gave him a ride. He was probably seven stone wet through.

“I’ve always followed his career from there. He went to the Flat first. I had Leighton (Aspell) here and wasn’t in a position to offer him a job.

“When he rode his claim out he wasn’t at the top of the pecking order at Venetia’s and I bumped into him at Fontwell.

“I asked him what he was doing the next season and he said he’d be struggling on trying to get rides where he could. I said I was looking for someone and if he could come down and ride for me two or three times a week I think we can work something out.

“He grabbed the chance and it’s worked well this season.

“You couldn’t meet a nicer, genuine hard-working lad. He’s very dedicated, he’s had his lucky break and let’s hope he can build on that and get more choice rides now.”

Treadwell revealed it was a dream come true to win the National. He admitted: “When I first left home my parents bought me an Equicizer and I used to ride it in my bedroom and imagine that I was riding the finish of the Grand National. “My parents have worked at John Dunlop’s for years but I always wanted to become a jump jockey and have always dreamed of winning the Grand National.”