THIS week, 15 years ago, racehorse Monty's Pass won the 2003 Grand National at Aintree, in Liverpool.

The winning horse was ridden by Barry Geraghty, and beat favourite Shotgun Willy who came second in the previous season's Scottish Grand National.

Monty’s Pass trainer Jimmy Mangan said: ''He's absolutely brilliant today and has been out eating grass, I think we'll have a crack again next year.

''He was something unreal, I couldn't believe the way he floated over those jumps. He was second in the Topham Trophy last year and we said then that we were coming for the big one this year.''

Also, that week, terminal cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson took to the road to raise money for charity.

The 40-year-old started the tandem bike ride with her brother Luke Goward, 39.

After travelling back to Britain from Rome, via the Channel Tunnel, Mrs Tomlinson said: "It's fantastic. We have seven days cycling left and it seems we are pretty close to home now.

"I felt pretty ill over the last few days and I'm still not very well but I have increased my painkillers."

Her brother Luke, who had not been abroad before the trip, said: "It's fantastic to be back in the UK. I'm now looking forward to a proper breakfast."

The Yorkshire pair finished their journey in Leeds completing the epic Rome to Home bike ride.

Mrs Tomlinson added: "You're not home until you are with your family."

Meanwhile, a baby foal was rescued by firefighters after it fell down a hole.

The four-day-old horse spend the night in a ditch near Teesside International Airport, at Middleton St George before being hoisted to safety.

Leading firefighter Mike Money, from Darlington fire station, said the horse was not injured in the accident.

"Its owners found it and called us. We got her out by putting straps around her and gingerly pulling them," he said.

"She was a bit frightened, but once she was out and got the feeling back in her legs she was fine.

"Her mother was in the field and when we left the foal was suckling and looked to be quite happy."