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.

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Denman, bred by Colman O’Flynn, was foaled in April 2000 in County Cork. Sired by Presenting and brother to Grade One winning Silverburn, he was originally trained by former champion jockey Adrian Maguire. He was spotted by Tom O’Mahony, a scout for Paul Barber, the landlord of trainer Paul Nicholls, at the Duhallow point-to-point races at Liscaroll, where he beat 16 fellow runners by 12 lengths.

Now under the hand of Paul Nicholls and the whip of Ruby Walsh, the 2005/06 season saw Denman win a 21 length victory at the Challow Hurdle. The following season saw him win his first four novice chases, and although he was a favourite for the Cheltenham Festival, it was decided that he would be entered into the Royal and Sun Alliance Novices Chases as opposed to the Gold Cup. He stole the show from Snowy Morning by a cool 10 lengths and exhibited jumping not seen in a novice for a long time previous.

The 2007/08 season saw him entered for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with new jockey Sam Thomas, due to Ruby Walsh staying loyal to defending champion and fellow stable mate Kauto Star. Speculation was rife and even Ruby Walsh was uncertain what the outcome was to be, as Nicholls was confident that both horses were 100% ready for the race. The race was close but Denman managed to win by 7 lengths.

The 2008/09 season was interrupted for Denman as he needed to be treated for an irregular heartbeat, and so didn’t appear until Kempton Park in February, where he finished second. His next race was the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March where he tried to retain his claim on the cup, but finished second behind Kauto Star. Nicholls is determined that will regain his crown now that he is as he was two years ago when he won the Gold Cup.

Despite the fact that for a second year in a row Denman is being widely speculated as an Aintree contender, nothing has been decided by Paul Nicholls who has indicated that Tricky Trickster, Denman’s stablemate, will be his National candidate. However, his bold jumping style, sheer pace and exquisite style of racing would be suited to this race and with so many horses out of the handicap he really could stand an incredible chance of winning.

If you fancy your chances and think Denman is the horse for you, Paddy Power are taking ante-post bets on him now!