Ballabriggs carried the story of the most famous family in Grand National history on for another generation at Aintree.Anyone with just a passing interest in racing will know of Ginger McCain, who trained Red Rum from the beach at Southport to win the great race three times in the 1970s, and it was only five years ago he handed over his upgraded stables in Cheshire to his son, Donald.McCain junior has gradually improved his string from one of occasional National contenders to top-class animals,

Ballabriggs carried the story of the most famous family in Grand National history on for another generation at Aintree.

Anyone with just a passing interest in racing will know of Ginger McCain, who trained Red Rum from the beach at Southport to win the great race three times in the 1970s, and it was only five years ago he handed over his upgraded stables in Cheshire to his son, Donald.

McCain junior has gradually improved his string from one of occasional National contenders to top-class animals, but Aintree is quite obviously a place closest to his heart too.

He had identified the strapping Ballabriggs as a type for the fearsome birch fences some time ago and the 14-1 shot was never out of the picture during the four-and-a-half miles (7200m).

On a sweltering afternoon, both the obstacles and the heat played their part with several fences bypassed because of stricken horses and an exhausted Ballabriggs had to be attended to as soon as he passed the post 2-1/4 lengths in front of Oscar Time.

Jockey Jason Maguire quickly jumped off his mount, who recovered after a rest, and joined the McCains and jubilant owner Trevor Hemmings.

"I've been very lucky to have been involved in Grand Nationals all my life. It does matter and it's great to be around Grand National horses," Donald McCain said.

"Everyone goes on about Cheltenham and I probably got a bit obsessed with it.

"But we are from the north-west and you come here and there's no place like it. This is the greatest race in the world."

Ballabriggs, who is now 10, just held on to win the Kim Muir at last year's Cheltenham Festival and was given only three runs over hurdles this season with one day in April on the agenda.

The 75-year-old Hemmings, who was Lancashire born and lives on the Isle Of Man, finally quelled a yearning desire to win the National in 2005 through the Irish-trained Hedgehunter.

"Times haven't been that good in Britain, especially financially, and everyone got excited about Long Run when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so why shouldn't everyone up here get excited about Ballabriggs" he said.

"I was confused when Hedgehunter won and I wasn't ready for it. Don't get me wrong, I loved every minute but I only got half of it.

"In contrast, today I lived every second of it and though I have been kicked, pushed and trodden on with everyone wanting to congratulate me, I absolutely loved it."

Maguire could have already landed the Grand National in 2007 on Silver Birch but stayed loyal to McCain's Cloudy Lane and his honesty was finally rewarded.