GRAND National hero Hywel Davies is looking forward to an emotional homecoming when he attends a special event held in his honour at Cardigan Guildhall in February.

The 53-year-old from Llangoedmore, who drove 50-1 outsider Last Suspect to a sensational victory at Aintree in 1985, is the subject of a special boxing dinner show on Friday February 19.

The event, staged by Cardigan Amateur Boxing Club, is part of Cardigan’s official 2010 calendar of events and marks the 25th anniversary of the local jockey’s unexpected triumph which saw local bookies make record payouts.

"I’ve always said that the wonderful reception I received back home in Cardigan meant almost as much to me as winning the actual race," Davies, now a well-known S4C pundit, told the Tivy-Side.

"That’s why this boxing dinner show is special. It’s so gratifying and also a little humbling to know that ‘Sus’ and myself are still remembered after all these years."

In addition to eight bouts of boxing, guests will also be treated to an entire re-run of the race on a big screen. Although precise details of the event are still being finalised, it is hoped that other National-winning jockeys will attend.

Cardigan ABC head coach Chris Lawson was a contemporary of Davies’s at Cardigan Comprehensive School. "Our family loved boxing and my late brother Geraint travelled all over the country to watch Chris," recalled Davies.

"I was also in the same class as Jonathan Jones who went on to win the world powerboat title four times and as far as I’m concerned has never received the recognition he deserves.

"I bet Chris and Jon don’t realise it, but I always followed their respective careers closely and – being Cardigan boys - they were both heroes to me!"

Promoter Mike Lewis said: "I watched the electrifying closing moments of the ’85 National again the other night and Last Suspect’s valiant charge over that final furlong still sent shivers down my spine – it was an amazing feat of horsemanship and Hywel quite literally had to fight for every yard.

"Hywel Davies is a local hero who has never forgotten his roots and we feel it is only fitting that he should be the subject of the type of event Cardigan has never seen before.

"Last Suspect’s Grand National triumph was an occasion unique in Cardigan’s history and we’ve already received a lot of interest in this show.

"Tickets are limited so I would strongly advise people to book as early as possible in order to avoid disappointment."

Tickets are available from Gareth Davies on 07812 588891 (after 6pm)