Grand National winner Sam Waley-Cohen helped get Prince William back with Kate

Grand National winning jockey Sam Waley-Cohen was once credited in getting Kate Middleton back together with Prince William following their 2007 split.

The now-retired amateur jockey, who also owns 200 dental practices, has a connection to Kate through his late younger brother Thomas who was once her school mate.

Having dedicated the historic victory in his last career race to Thomas, who passed in 2004 after a decade-long battle with bone cancer, their connection to the Royal family and future King Prince William re-emerged.

When asked before their 2012 wedding, which he attended with wife Annabel, whether it might not have been going ahead at all if he wasn't for him, Sam offered up a humble response.

He told the Mirror of their 2007 split: "Oh I don’t know about that. I don’t think it was with me with my Cupid’s arrow! I genuinely don’t know if I had anything to do with it.

"They’ve both been friends for a long time. I think they got back together of their own accord."

William and Kate had met while studying at the University of St Andrews back in 2001, they begun dating in 2003 and lived together between 2003 and 2005.

Their relationship came to an end in April of 2007, but rekindled their romance later that year and moved in together for good in 2010.

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Riding the 50/1 outsider, Noble Yeats at Aintree this weekend Waley-Cohen was initially lost for words as he dedicated the victory to Thomas.

On ITV, he said: "I can't say anything.

"It's a dream. I couldn't believe it. I’ve got to say thank yous, because it’s my last ever ride, to dad, unwavering belief and love.

"Over 23 years, never a cross word, nothing but a dream, it's been a love affair. To my wife, long-suffering, they aren’t all good days in this sport and she’s always there to support me."

Adding: "That is beyond words. It’s a fairytale, it’s a fantasy. Just full of love, happiness and gratefulness.

"Being on the right horses, getting the luck and having the sun out… I do think Thomas is sitting on my back. I ride with his name on my saddle.

"These days are family days. Honestly, you couldn't make it up could you?"

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