LEGENDARY Grand National winner Red Rum's former stable lad Billy Ellison has written a poem about the wonder horse which he hopes to auction for charity.

Mr Ellison of South Shore, Blackpool, spent several years with Red Rum and developed a close friendship with him.

His tribute to the three-times Aintree winner is due to be published in November this year in a collection called Time To Reflect.

Recently Billy had his hip replaced and now hopes his poetic success can benefit the Wishbone Trust which raises money for hip operations as well cancer victims and the terminally ill.

He will ask the charity's patron, HRH the Queen Mother, to sign copies of the poem which he will auction.

He also hopes to scoop the £500 prize for best poem offered by the publishers of the book, which he will also donate to charity.

Billy, who accompanied Red Rum around the country and developed a deep affection for him, said: "I could tell when he was happy, sad, or in pain, just from the look in his eyes.

"A member of the team used to play mouth organ and when Red Rum heard it his ears would prick up and he would come galloping over from where ever he was."

In his poem Billy writes: "His food was warm, his bed set fair - he's glad to be back home,

"I read his mind and knew his thoughts - a legend here was born.

"His pride and class, his ability, was much to his proclaim,

"Three times he won at Aintree - the place of his domain."

Billy believes the racing world had never before known a horse like Red Rum and may never again.

"He was certainly special. To win the Grand National is one thing but three wins and two second places in five years is the mark of true greatness."

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