Bob Champion spoke of “a great man” as he paid tribute to Josh Gifford, who yesterday suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 70.

Gifford, in his role as a jockey and then trainer at the highest level, was associated with many good horses, including Shady Deal, Deep Sensation and Bradbury Star.

But it was as the man who saddled Aldaniti to victory in the 1981 Grand National – a triumph celebrated by the film ‘Champions’, in which Hollywood star Edward Woodward played Gifford – that he will always remembered.

Champion, the cancer victim who rose from his death bed to propel the injury-plagued Aldaniti to Aintree glory, recalled Gifford’s unswerving allegiance in his hour of need, saying: “The majority of trainers would have forgotten me.

“But he was so loyal to me – and all the other jockeys who rode for him – and I was always appreciative of that. I was with Josh for 10 good seasons and to ride for him was an honour. He was a great jockey in the first place, but also a great trainer and a great man.”

 The Huntingdon-born son of a farmer and point-to-point enthusiast, Gifford partnered his first success on the Flat in 1956 before plying his trade over jumps, winning four jockeys’ titles while attached to Ryan Price.

Having joined the training ranks at 28, Gifford enjoyed numerous big-race victories as the boss of the Downs Stables in Findon, West Sussex.

A year after Aldaniti’s National triumph, Shady Deal landed the Whitbread Gold Cup, while Deep Sensation’s Queen Mother Champion Chase of 1993 and Bradbury Star’s two Mackeson Gold Cups (1993 and 1994) were other career highlights.

Gifford retired in April 2003 – his final runner, Skycab, scored amid emotional scenes at Sandown – before handing the reins of his yard to son Nick.

Gifford, who suffered a severe bout of septicemia in recent weeks, is also survived by wife Althea and daughter Tina, a dual eventing bronze medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics