Grand National winners parade

There are ex-racehorses - and then there are ex-racing superchampions ! It was lovely to see eight of the Grand National's former winners strutting their stuff before the grandstand once more as they paraded before last Saturday's big race.

They may be leading quieter lives now than in their super-champ heydays, but they still all looked marvelously well and happy. And probably twice the weight they used to be ! Some looked more like chunky-hunky hunters than racehorses - and all had a very contented air.

Leading the parade came Miinnehoma, at 26 the oldest surviving Grand National winner and showing some venerable grey patches now. He won the National in 1994 for trainer Martin Pipe, with Richard Dunwoody in the saddle. Even at his great age the old warrior looked in good shape.

Then came Rough Quest ( winner 1996), and Lord Giyllene ( 1997) who is now enjoying life back at Hilda Clarke's. Papillon was led up by Katie Walsh, sister of jockey Ruby who rode Papillon to the winner's enclosure in 2000. A real family affair, Papillon was trained by Ruby and Katie's father, Ted Walsh. Pappillon is now a much-loved family pet.

Glowing chestnut Red Marauder looked rather smarter and shinier than when he battled to victory through the mud-plastered National of 2001, when only four horses managed to finish ( and two of them had been remounted after falls ! One of them was Papillon, under Ruby Walsh. He may not have won that time, but he still earned £25,000 for coming fourth.) Richard Guest, Red Marauder's jockey at the time, now keeps the horse at his Nottinghamshire yard. Richard said : " It gives him a real boost coming back here. He goes away and he's a different horse for a few months afterwards. He lives with us in a field with my fiancee's mare, Annie. He fell in love with her and I fell in love with Alison. He's 19 now and he's looking his age - he's had a few problems but coming here really perks him up."

Next came Bindaree ( 2002) and Monty's Pass, the 2003 winner who, we're told, never forgets he's a champ and is "very bossy" at home !

Last in the parade came the most recent winner, Numbersixvalverde, who won in 2006 and gave jockey Niall 'Slippers' Madden victory in his first-ever ride in the race. Trainer Martin Brassil explained that Numbersix only retired from racing at Christmas last year, so this was his first time in the parade of champions. He certainly seemed to enjoy it, and will doubtless be back for more. It will be a treat to see him, and the others, again next year.