In 171 years of Grand National history only one horse has managed to win the toughest steeple chase three times ~ the legendary, famed and infamous Red Rum. This remarkable jumper became an instant celebrity in horse racing circles after winning the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977. The 2010 Aintree Grand National might just lay the foundation for a second triple winner, considering that the field will include three previous Grand National champions.

Silver Birch (2007 winner), Comply Or Die (2008 winner) and Mon Mome (2009 winner) are all planning to return to the site of their former glory on April 19th in an attempt to claim the second victory that would set them on the path to share Red Rum’s thus untouched achievement.

As the Aintree Festival and with it the anticipated Grand National draws nearer, it may be a good idea to take a closer look at these three interesting contenders.

Silver Birch – Foaled April 6th 1997 Silver Birch is by far the oldest of the three contenders for the coveted dual win. However, age does not need to be a drawback; after all Peter Simple, the oldest horse to win the Grand National, was 15 years old when he was the first across the line. Out of his 28 career starts the gelding has won seven races, placed second five times and recorded two third places; leaving him at a 25% winning rate. However, since his win in the 2007 Grand National, Silver Birch has not recorded a win. Nonetheless, the Elliott trained contender placed an impressive second place in the Glenfarclas P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase at Punchestown on January 31st this year. This hints that the thirteen-year-old is in better shape than he has been in years; which is necessary as Silver Birch is unlikely to have many more active seasons left to race. If Elliott couples his charge once more with regular jockey Robbie Power, who rode Silver Birch to his previous Grand National victory, the veteran will be an interesting candidate to watch over the next weeks.

Comply Or Die – Out of the three returning champions Comply Or Die is the one who has already narrowly scraped by a second win, leaving him with business to settle with rival Mon Mome. After winning the Grand National in 2008, the David Pipe-trained gelding was beaten by 100-1 outsider Mon Mome. Since this defeat the eleven-year-old has not recorded any outstanding successes. His most recent race, the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival 2010, saw Comply Or Die starting out well but faltering to the point of reaching only a disappointing 13th place. However, it was the first race he had to face without regular jockey Tommy Murphy since December 2007. Although Comply Or Die seems to be in a slight funk, it is not out of the question that the experienced team of Pipe and Murphy will pull out enough stops to give their charge another shot at multiple Grand National Glory.

Mon Mome – When Mon Mome raced to victory in last year’s Grand National at Aintree, it was one of the rare triumphs of the underdog that make a race day truly memorable. Rated with 100-1 odds the French-trained gelding became the first French horse to win the Grand National in exactly one century; since the 1909 victory of Lutteur III. However, as it seems to be the curse of the recent Grand National champions since his success at Aintree Mom Mome has yet to record another win; although he has been racing consistently and never with truly shameful consequences. Out of his 38 career runs Mon Mome has won six races, and placed second and third eight and four times respectively; leaving him at a 15.7% winning rate. The ten-year-old is the youngest of the returning champions, which gives him the edge in this unusually tough and competitive race, although the experience of his rivals must not be underestimated.

The Aintree Grand National is always an occasion it is after all the craziest steeple chase staged all year whether or not it produces a double winner. Still, a double win would up the ante for the 2011 Grand National and the connections of the three candidates are working and planning around the clock in order to get their charges in the best possible shape for the looming event.

For more news about upcoming horse race meetings (including, obviously, the Grand National) check out Horse Racing UK for regular news, previews and reviews.

A quick look into the Grand National history book tells us that only seven horses have managed to win the Grand National more than once! Let’s take a closer look at those Deja Vu winners starting with one of the very earliest Grand National winners.

Abd-El-Kader the Irish race horse who was petite in stature, still managed to win the Grand National in 1850. He was relatively unknown in England and unquoted in the betting before the 1850 twin, in 1851 the bookies had him priced at a lowly 7/1. Allotted just 6lbs more by the handicapper than the previous year and became the first horse to win the National twice.

Peter Simple was a gelding who won the Grand National for a second time at the ripe old at of 15 in 1853! He had previously won in 1849. Still the oldest winner to land the Aintree prize. A record that’s unlikely to be broken.

In 1869 ‘The Colonel’ won with experience jockey George Stevens on board, the jockey had previously won the Grand National three times, and is thought to have been the reason behind the Colonel’s initial victory. The following year the team pairing up again and won by half a length.

Only two greys have won the Grand National, and the first of them stood only 14 hands high, and was named The Lamb because of his tiny physique. He won the Grand National in 1868, was re-routed to Sefton Chase the following year, and was then out of action for two years due to a wasting disease. This all made it even more remarkable when he won the Grand National again in 1871.

Manifesto became an Aintree favorite winning the National two times 1897 & 1899, he also came third three times, came fourth and eighth once, only once failing to go the distance.

Reynoldstown became the hero of the 1935 Grand National when the horse expected to be the star – Golden Winner; winner of the 1934 Grand National and four consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cups; unseated his rider. Unfortunately for Golden Miller he was a faller in the 1936 race, leaving Reynoldstown to battle it out with Davy Jones. Davy Jones looked set to be the winner as Reynoldstown was taking jumps carelessly, but he ended up taking a twelve length victory when Davy Jones’ reins came apart, and he ended up veering out-of-control leftwards.

Red Rum affectionately known as just ‘Rummy’ is without a doubt the greatest Grand National horse of all time. Originally breed to be a sprinter, Red Rum went on to become the only horse in the history of the race to win it three times; 1973, 1974 and 1977. He also came second in 1975 and 1976 and could have possibly won it for a four time in 1978 if hadn’t ruled him out of the race.