Red Rum stable seeking Grand National win on 50th anniversary of first victory

05 April 2023 , 15:33

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Donald McCain: trainer of Minella Trump (Image: PA)

The stable forever synonymous with the legendary Red Rum will have its first runner in the Randox Grand National for eight years on the 50th anniversary of the three-time winner’s first success.

Minella Trump is being prepared for the £1 million race by Donald McCain whose late father Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain trained Red Rum to become an Aintree immortal.

McCain has enjoyed Grand National success of his own, winning the famous race in 2011 with Ballabriggs, while his dad trained Red Rum to win the race in 1973, 1974 and 1977 and won the race again in 2004 with Amberleigh House.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have a Grand National winner, but I was two when Red Rum won his first Grand National so that’s about Mum and Dad. It’s not really about me,” said McCain.

“Yes, Red Rum has been a huge leg up for the family and myself. I would think his third one is more important than his first one.”

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The nine-year-old Minella Trump has won eight out of 12 over fences and was placed in three of those runs to secure his place in the field with 10st 6lb.

Red Rum: won the Grand National three times (Press Association)

McCain’s last Grand National runner Above The Curve was pulled up in 2015 since when the fortunes of his Cheshire stables have been experiencing a revival, with another century of winners this season, typified by Minella Trump.

“We’ve been regrouping and we’ve not had the right type of horse in previous years but we’ve got one now,” said McCain. “He had won his last seven races until he was second at Ludlow in December up to Bangor.

“I don’t know what you need in a modern day Grand National horse. They don’t have the same profile as in the past. I think it’s more about being well handicapped and staying well. It’s changed from the time it was more about they jumped and travelled.

“He has a rating to get in. He’s won a lot of races,he gets three miles. He’s had a break through the winter and he’s ready to come back. He is a thoroughly likeable horse.”

Jon Lees