[3] Grittar was installed as a 7/1 favourite on the day of the race, due mostly to the Cheltenham and Liverpool Foxhunter Chase double in 1981 [4] The victory at Liverpool was enough for him to get the support of BBC Radio 2 commentator, Peter Bromley[5] though several newspaper pundits expressed concern at the horse's being a hunter chaser.
Forty-eight-year-old amateur rider Dick Saunders told trainer Frank Gilman to employ the services of a professional rider, Peter Scudamore for the big race, but Gilman insisted Saunders take the ride if fit.
His age and amateur status did little to deter the betting public although leading professional gambler, Alex Bird exclaimed "I immediately pencilled him in for the '82 National, but I'm not happy about the jockey - I'll be keeping my money in my pocket.
"[6] In preparation for the National, he won at a canter at Leicester before finishing a creditable sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
[7] [8] BBC Grandstand covered the race with David Coleman fronting the coverage live from Aintree.