Which were the only two horses to beat Red Rum in the Grand National?
Racing historians may argue that Manifesto, who ran in the Grand National eight times between 1896 and 1904, was the greatest ‘National’ horse ever. Manifesto won the National twice, including under 12st 7lb in 1899, and finished third three times, including under 12st 8lb, as a 14-year-old, in 1902, so perhaps you can see their point.
However, the greatest National horse of modern times is, undoubtedly, Red Rum, who ran in five consecutive Grand Nationals between 1973 and 1977, winning in 1973, 1974 and 1977 and finishing second in 1975 and 1976. In 1975, attempting an unprecedented hat-trick, Red Rum was sent off 7/2 favourite but, despite jumping the second-last fence upsides the eventual winner L’Escargot, was soon left behind and had to settle for second, 15 lengths behind his old rival. In 1976, Red Red was narrowly ahead jumping the final fence, but was tackled by Rag Trade at the famous ‘Elbow’, halfway up the run-in and, although rallying in the closing stages, went down fighting, by two lengths.