GINGER McCain has called her a "brood mare" who has no chance of winning the Grand National.

McCain, who trained Red Rum to three victories in the big race as well as preparing last year's winner Amberleigh House, was only half-joking when he assessed Carrie Ford's chances of making history on board Forest Gunner at Aintree today.

In truth, he spoke for a generation of men who believe that a woman's place is at home with the kids.

And that's why we hope Carrie proves them all wrong by becoming the first woman to win the National.

She has already struck a blow for women by winning last year's Fox Hunters' Chase over the National fences just ten weeks after giving birth to baby Hannah.

And Forest Gunner is the first horse with a serious chance of winning the great race to be ridden by a woman.

The National has a habit of producing fairytales. Who could forget Aldaniti's victory in 1981 after jockey Bob Champion had recovered from cancer?

That particular fairytale was turned into a film, and a woman winning the world's greatest race would have Hollywood drooling all over again.

It would also have Ginger McCain, and men all over the country, eating huge slices of humble pie.