CHARLIE Longsdon hopes popular mare Snow Leopardess can create one of the great Grand National fairytales this weekend.

The grey is favourite to win the world-famous race at Aintree in what would be an incredible story, having given birth to a foal in a two-year absence from the track.

Trained by Chipping Norton’s Longsdon, Snow Leopardess has already enjoyed Aintree success, triumphing in the Becher Chase in December.

Instances of mares returning to racing having given birth are rare in any case, but for them to reach the heights of challenging for Grand National favouritism is simply unheard of.

Longsdon said: “I can see people talking about the Grand National runner with a child.

“You only have to see on Twitter the number of people who are getting excited and involved.

“You look through all the people who message you and it is amazing how many people do get in touch.

“It is all positive and we are all excited.”

Returning from a successful foray in France in 2017, Snow Leopardess went to visit the Derby winner Sir Percy and gave birth to a foal.

Ridden by Aidan Coleman, she is bidding to end a 71-year barren spell in the race for her sex.