Toby McCain-Mitchell, 24, will ride in his first Grand National on Saturday carrying a lock of Red Rum's hair in his gloves for luck. The grandson of legendary trainer Ginger McCain, who trained Red Rum to three National wins, only turned professional last year.
McCain-Mitchell's mother Joanne kept locks of Red Rum's mane after the horse's death in 1995. The hair has traditionally been sewn into bridles of family horses running over Aintree's fences. Toby will have a piece in his gloves as he tackles the four-and-a-quarter-mile course.
“Typically all of Donald’s horses will have a bit of Red Rum’s mane sewn into the brow bands if they run over the National fences,” McCain-Mitchell said. “It’s a bit silly but it’s just for good luck. He used to do well over them, so it can’t do any harm.”
McCain-Mitchell becomes the first of Ginger's five grandchildren to ride in the race. His uncle Donald trained 2011 winner Ballabriggs, while Ginger also won with Amberleigh House in 2004. “Aintree is like a family obsession,” Toby added.
