Grand National legend Red Rum set to race round Aintree yet another time from past the grave

Grand National legend Red Rum is to hair around Aintree again – from beyond the grave. Red Rum is the only horse to win the world’s most famous race three times.

And the grandson of his trainer, Ginger McCain, will ride in the race for the first time on Saturday, with a lock of the horse’s hair in his gloves for luck.

Toby McCain-Mitchell, 24, only became a professional jockey in August. But he will become the third generation of his family to join the Grand National club when he rides 10-year-old gelding Top Of The Bill.

Grandad Ginger schooled Rummy to victory in 1973, 1974 and 1977 – a feat that has never been matched. He went on to enjoy a fourth success training 2004 champ Amberleigh House.

His son Donald – Toby’s uncle – trained 2011 winner Ballabriggs.

Now McCain-Mitchell is set to write his own chapter of Grand National history. And Rummy – who also came second in the big race in 1975 and 1976, has a statue at Aintree and two streets, two pubs, a train and a fire engine named after him – will be with him all the way.

When the Irish thoroughbred died aged 30 in 1995, Toby’s mum, Joanne, kept locks of his mane.

Some have been sewn into the bridles of the family’s horses but Toby will also have a lock of the great horse’s hair in his gloves when he attempts to navigate the 30 fences on the four and a quarter mile course.

He said: “I keep that little lock in my gum shield box and I’ll be putting it in my gloves on Saturday. It’s a bit silly but it’s just for good luck.

“Red Rum used to do well over those fences so it can’t do any harm.

“He is just a legend. He was around so long and what people forget is his longevity. He finished second in between those three wins.

“He was magic and it’s nice to try and keep a bit of the legacy going I suppose.

“Mum’s car number plates have Red Rum on them. She’s been asked if she hogged the hair when he passed away.

“I think she did say the supply is getting low which is why I’ve kept my bit.”

Toby is too young to clearly remember Ginger’s Grand National history-making – but does recall him being a ‘good grandad’.

“I’ve gone back and read plenty of his interviews. He always had his tongue-in-cheek opinions, especially about the restructure of the race and how different it is,” he said.

“He was old school and would say it was a load of nonsense, but that would be more to get a bite out of some people. It’s a sense of humour and he certainly came alive when the race came around.”

Toby vividly recalls Ballabriggs’ victory for his uncle.

“I was at my friend’s house and we’d just got back from football and caught it on the telly in his living room and we were jumping up and down. I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“Aintree is like a family obsession. We all support Liverpool and it’s just kind of the be all and end all.”

Though he has not ridden in the National before, he has tackled some of the fences when he took part in the Foxhunters’ Chase at Aintree in 2024 – finishing fifth on Tea Clipper.

“I remember the most special part of that was seeing my Nana when going back to the washdown area,” he said.

“That was quite emotional. It brought back feelings of grandad and so on.”

He said his mum was ‘bursting with pride and excitement’ over Saturday’s race.

But he added: “I can’t imagine she’ll be watching much of it.

“I’d say she will go and stand at grandad’s famous spot where the plaque is just behind where the bookies are so I’d say she’d have her back turned for most of it!

“A few of Donald’s side of the family will be there and my brother is coming over from Ireland.

“But we wouldn’t make a massive thing out of it really. My uncle texted me about going to ride in Newcastle on Saturday forgetting I’m at Aintree.”

Toby has notched up 31 winners this season but may need a little of Rummy’s help if he is to triumph on – Top Of The Bill is a 125-1 long-shot despite finishing second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock Park in February.

“There’s no arguing that he’s up against it,” said the jockey.

“But he’s obviously a proven stayer and has run well over further than three miles.

“He’s got a lot of characteristics of a National horse so hopefully we get a safe trip round and give it our best go – that’s all you can ask.

“He’s definitely got a brain on him. As much as he likes to roll along he’s more than able to pop and fiddle away which is what you’ve got to do around Aintree.”

Willy Twiston-Davies, who trains Top Of The Bill with his dad Nigel, is also not ruling out his super jockey pulling off a sensation.

“Toby is very talented. He works hard and has been doing very well,” he said.