The Grand National Steeplechase takes place in early April at the Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, UK. It is a very special race as the fences are specially-made and bigger than standard steeplechase fences and it is run over a longer distance than usual at 4.5 miles. There are named fences such as Beechers Brook, the Chair and the Canal Turn.

By far the most successful horse in Grand National history was Red Rum, the only horse to win three times, in 1973, 1974, and in 1977. He also came in second in the two intervening years, 1975 and 1976. This is an amazing record given the relatively small number of horses who complete the marathon race each year.

I believe that he never fell on a racecourse in over 10 years of racing which is an great achievement for any horse, particularly one with a flat-racing pedigree. He always jumped particularly well in the Grand National and I do not remember seeing him make a single mistake in all of his Grand National races.

I saw him at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate when he was paraded there one year. He was much bigger in real life than he appeared on TV as he was very well proportioned.

I initially followed Red Rum in the race as he was ridden to his first two wins by a local rider, Brain Fletcher, who has the best record of a jockey in the race with three wins (two on Red Rum and one on Red Alligator in 1968). We bought one of our first ponies, Heather, from his family and I won my first jumping event on her at a local gymknana. Red Alligator was also owned by a local farming family and we kept ponies and horses on their land for many years .

The first win in 1973 was a particularly great race. The topweight Crisp had a massive lead but Red Rum slowly caught up to win by less than a length. Crisp was one of the unluckiest runners-up in this event but this was only the start of Red Rum’s history in the National.

Red Rum had serious leg problems and was trained on Southport beach, so he did particularly well to remain sound enough to train for and compete in these marathon events. He also was a great personality and I remember the massive roar from the crowd when he won for the third time. I doubt that his record in the Grand National will ever be beaten.