As a schoolgirl , Emma Lavelle had twin passions — politics and horses . Had she chosen to pursue the former , spring 2015 , with an election looming , could well have proved an important time in her life . But the woman who now runs a 70-box stable in Hampshire is hoping that , having favoured horses over Hansard , the same period definitely turns out to be momentous when she saddles Court By Surprise , her first runner in the £1 million Crabbie 's Grand National on April 11 . If the 10-year-old wins , Lavelle would be the third female trainer to win Jump racing 's best known race this century following Venetia Williams , with Mon Mome in 2009 and Sue Smith , with Auroras Encore in 2013 . Emma Lavelle poses with Court By Surprise , her first runner in the £1 million Crabbie 's Grand National . And she would also be feted , along with her former jockey husband and assistant Barry Fenton , for executing a long-term precision plan . Court By Surprise has not run since November as Lavelle patiently kept him fresh for the drier spring ground on which he excels . Lavelle said : ' I did a lot of public speaking and debating at school . Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister . Love her or hate her , she was a big presence . I loved her . As a schoolgirl , Lavelle had twin passions — politics and horses - now she is targeting the Grand National . 'She got me interested in politics . I am opinionated and I like talking . I am not so sure now because it is all so grey but at the time I would have been happy to go down that road . ' Lavelle 's communication skills with owners and staff have been essential after a devastating setback at the start of the season when she lost two of her best horses . Timesremembered , who had finished sixth in the Coral Cup at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival , was killed in his first steeplechase , at Aintree in October , and Le Bec , thought capable of contesting top-quality steeplechases , suffered a serious tendon injury at Ascot a week later . Court By Surprise has not run since November as Lavelle patiently kept him fresh for the drier spring ground . Lavelle said : 'It really hit us hard . It was like a football team losing their best two players at the start of the season . 'It was hard to pick up and get going again . But you have to keep positive , keep going forward and take your team with you . ' Lavelle 's season has been rebuilt around Grade Two winner Closing Ceremony , much-improved Parish Business , exciting Bumper winner See The World and , of course , Court By Surprise , who is owned by Kempton chairman Nick Mustoe . Lavelle 's decision to enter racing rather than politics was heavily influenced by the late Toby Balding . Court By Surprise ridden by Aidan Coleman clears the last to win the Best Mate Handicap Steeple Chase . The National entry , who will be ridden at Aintree by Daryl Jacob , won at Exeter in October and was then awarded the Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton after finishing second to fast-improving unqualified entry , The Young Master . Subsequent events tell us Court By Surprise faced handicapping Everest that day . For Saturday week , trainer and horse have that essential Aintree ingredient — a good story to tell . Lavelle 's decision to enter racing rather than politics was heavily influenced by working for the late Toby Balding , who won the Aintree race twice . Lavelle , who was first invited to spend a week with Balding aged 11 when he trained a horse for her father , said : ' I was so lucky he let me be so involved . I was n't strong enough to carry the water bucket in the morning . I filled it and had to get someone to carry it back to the stable . When I look back I found it staggering that , even having ridden ponies , he let me ride racehorses . The National entry , who will be ridden at Aintree by Daryl Jacob , won at Exeter in October . 'He was someone you could learn as much as you wanted to off . If you asked the questions , he would give you the answers . He was a big man who enveloped you in everything . ' Court By Surprise , an overpriced 50-1 shot allotted 10st 3lb , has overcome two serious problems — a leg injury when falling on his point-to-point debut and an infected leg which kept him off the course for almost two years and could have ended his career . Lavelle added : 'Having missed the best part of two years , he has not had much racing but maybe it is a blessing in disguise ; he is so much stronger . Now , he 's the best he 's ever been . '
As a schoolgirl , Emma Lavelle had twin passions - politics and horses . Now Lavelle is targeting the Grand National with Court by Surprise . She hopes to become the third female trainer to win the race 2009 . The two others were Venetia Williams in this century and Sue Smith in 2013 .