Red Rum returns to Aintree

Red Rum, the triple Grand National winner, celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday by revisiting Aintree on the occasion of the track's first evening meeting of jumping.

The veteran, who still resides with his trainer, Ginger McCain, was the magnet for hundreds of racegoers who flocked to the track to see the living legend who won the National in 1973, 1974 and 1977.

The old horse, still looking sprightly, is making fewer public appearances, but according to McCain, has: "plenty of life in him yet". Yesterday's races were named after the veteran, who was given a slice of a birthday cake made of oats, barley, nuts, molasses and carrots.