LOCAL businessman Trevor Hemmings fulfilled his lifetime ambition on Saturday when one of his racehorses won the Grand National.

On his 14th attempt at entering a horse in the world’s most famous steeplechase, the St Brelade resident was thrilled when Hedgehunter romped home well clear of the field.

The previous year the horse had led for most of the race before falling at the last fence, but on Saturday, in front of a worldwide audience of 600 million, the horse took the honours, earning Mr Hemmings more than £300,000 in prize money.

With the local connection to the horse, bookmakers in Jersey have lost a lot of money – something not seen since Corbière won the National in 1983.

Mr Hemmings (69), who is flying back to the Island later this week, said this morning: ‘I am absolutely delighted – I haven’t come down to earth yet.

I have been waiting for this for 14 years and dreamt about it for 35 years, and I can tell you there were a lot of tears shed on Saturday.