With three fences to jump they were daring each other to blink

With three fences to jump, they were daring each other to blink first.Yet it was the greenhorn who took control, sending Numbersixvalverde into the lead over the last and driving him six lengths clear on the long run-in. "Well, I must be doing something right," Madden said to himself.The symbolism could scarcely have been more explicit had McCoy and Walsh ended up sliding a glass slipper on to their young rival's foot. Here were two of the masters, men whose stature in Turf history is assured. Much of the talk before the race had concerned their different fortunes in this race - McCoy had completed without mishap only twice in 10 attempts, whereas Walsh had already won it twice in just five. They crept closer with each fence and suddenly, having sailed over Becher's a second time, they were poised behind the leaders just as the race began to take shape.Soon after Ballycassidy crashed out of the lead, at Valentine's, Madden moved upsides Ruby Walsh and Tony McCoy on the two overwhelming favourites, Hedgehunter and Clan Royal. Embarking on the second circuit, both horse and rider were exuding confidence.

That would still leave him a good two miles to show what kind of jockey he is.Sure enough, with a daring bordering on impudence, "Slippers" dropped Numbersixvalverde towards the very back of the field and concentrated on settling the horse into a rhythm. Drawing on that memory, he told his son to take his time on the first circuit, just to hunt his way round as others hastened to their downfall. "Slippers" was champion amateur in Ireland, never a dilettante achievement, but Numbersixvalverde none the less represented a heavy responsibility for an Aintree debutant.Eighteen years ago, "Boots" finished fifth round here on Attitude Adjuster. Inevitably, his son - like himself, Niall on his birth certificate - soon became known as "Slippers" among the Irish racing fraternity.And here he was, still only 20, riding one of the leading fancies in the John Smith's Grand National. "And that's how he rode the race, too - very cool." It was in the same, tender years of his own riding career that he had acquired the nickname "Boots", because he used to clump around the stableyard in shoes that were always too big. "They're big enough." But Madden could tell that the boy was not nervous "I was amazed how relaxed he was," he said yesterday. "You should have seen them 20 years ago." His son responded with the same grin that would, by teatime, enchant millions who had never yet heard of him "Jeez, Dad," he said.

They stood in front of Becher's Brook, Valentine's, the Chair, each fence neatly restored after 30 horses had smashed their way across the previous afternoon. They breathed in the scent of fresh spruce, and the damp of replaced divots "They were much bigger in my day," Madden kept saying. On Saturday morning, "Boots" Madden walked his son round the most famous steeplechase course in the world. Though an icy wind was blowing, the grey sky sat heavily above. Although Dr Reynolds thinks the situation is "pretty bleak", Professor Gurnell is more positive: "I'm optimistic that in some places, such as the north of England and Scotland, red squirrels will persist."Sanjida O'Connell is the author of 'Sugar: The Grass that Changed the World' (Virgin Books, £8.99). This will guarantee these unique animals are not lost forever."Unfortunately, there is no chance that any of the red squirrels, Cumbrian or otherwise, could currently be released on mainland Britain as they would succumb to the virus.

At the time, Dr Lurz said that this strain should be included in the programme, adding, "A captive breeding programme needs to be introduced as an additional conservation measure, just in case the conservation programme does not work. The Independent has previously reported research by Dr Lurz, which showed that a new strain of Cumbrian red squirrel had been detected. "We need to have a test for it, we need to be able to screen populations, which will change management plans, and we have to hope that a vaccine will be developed."Others have put their faith in captive breeding programmes, such as the one at Kelling Heath, Norfolk, which is part of the national breeding programme. Dr Reynolds is sceptical, pointing out that Australia has spent millions of dollars attempting to create fertility control for rabbits. Not only have the Australians not managed, but none of the chemicals developed would pass environmental health standards. "I think we need to know a lot more about this disease," says Dr Reynolds.