Grand National-winning trainer Denys Smith has died, aged 92. The County Durham handler enjoyed his finest hour at Aintree in 1968 when Red Alligator claimed National glory under Brian Fletcher.Smith could even have claimed the big race 12 months earlier, but the same horse finished a distant third after he became embroiled in the notorious 23rd-fence pile-up that led to Foinavon causing a 100-1 upset. A former taxi driver, the self-taught Smith was seen as one of the pioneering trainers of his generation and also won two Group One races on the Flat.Smith was crowned champion jumps trainer in the 1967-68 campaign but he was prolific on the Flat, too, having won races like the Lincoln (Foggy Bell), the Middle Park (Tudenham) and the Flying Childers (Mandrake Major).He was also a Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer and landed a division of the Gloucestershire Hurdle (now the Supreme Novices Hurdle) in 1968.Owens Mark provided Smith with a first victory under Rules at Sedgefield in February 1958, while Monksford gave him his last winner at Hamilton in 2002.He saddled over 1,600 winners from his Bishop Auckland yard in a career that spanned nearly 50 years.Former jockey Chris Grant left school as a 15-year-old to work for Smith, in a union which lasted 15 years, and said he owed everything in racing to his former boss.Grant, who is now a trainer in Cleveland, said I nearly got out of the game because I was a bit heavy, but Denys got me going again.He won a National, won a Lincoln, and won so many other good races during such a long career.Flat or jumps, it didnt matter to Denys. He was really ahead of his time in that respect.We travelled a lot of miles together. He used to drive me to the races and I used to drive him back.We got on very well and won some nice races, including the Triumph Hurdle Trial (Cheltenham) with The Grey Bomber and the Greenall (Haydock) with Midnight Love.Denys was in a care home until recently, but his mind was still as sharp as a razor.I wouldnt be where I was now if it wasnt for Denys Smith. Also See: Live results service Full racecards Get Sky Sports ￡10 completely free bet! Terry Steinbach Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. Khris Davis Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. http://www.athleticsrookiestore.com/Athletics-Sean-Manaea-Kids-Jersey/ . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. Chad Pinder Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Glenn Hubbard Jersey . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills rookie linebacker Reggie Ragland left practice Friday with a left knee injury.Bills coach Rex Ryan says the team does not believe any knee ligaments were damaged, but Ragland will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury.The non-contact injury took place in a team drill near the end of Buffalos morning practice. Ragland was going after the ball carrier on a running play before pulling up and going to the ground. He was able to walk to the locker room under his own power.Ragland iss projected to start at inside linebacker for Buffalo after being drafted 41st overall.dddddddddddd. The Bills are already without first-round pick Shaq Lawson, projected to start at outside linebacker.In other Bills injury news, Ryan said defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (undisclosed non-football illness) will likely return to practice on Monday.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '