By Lee Mottershead 12:47PM 4 APR 2010 LEADING John Smith's Grand National hope Character Building will seek to mirror the achievement of Party Politics on Saturday after David and Patricia Thompson, the owners of Cheveley Park Stud, swooped to purchase the former Cheltenham Festival winner.
The Thompsons, who bought Party Politics just three days before he carried Carl Llewellyn to Grand National glory, have long been interested in the John Quinn-trained chaser, who, like the 1992 Aintree hero, will race in the colours of Patricia Thompson.
As a result of the change in ownership, Character Building, who is 20-1 for the Grand National, will now be ridden by a yet-to-be-named professional jockey and not amateur Jamie Codd, who had been lined up for the mount by previous owner John Wright.
Quinn told racingpost.com on Sunday afternoon: "I got a phone call early in the week and the owners were made a decent offer. A deal was struck and the horse was vetted 100 per cent sound on Saturday. The owners have asked that a professional jockey rides the horse and enquiries are being made."
In a further positive omen to Character Building's chance, Party Politics triumphed at Aintree five days before John Major was returned to Downing Street. This season's Grand National takes place less than one month before the expected May 6 general election.
Cheveley Park swoops to buy Character Building By Lee Mottershead 12:47PM 4 APR 2010 LEADING John Smith's Grand National hope Character Building will seek to mirror the achievement of Party Politics on Saturday after David and Patricia Thompson, the