Red Rum is a legend in the world of horse racing and is almost always the first horse named whenever someone who isn’t into racing is asked to name a racehorse. Back in 1973 the horse took its first steps into the history books by winning what is regarded as one of the greatest ever Grand National races.
The 1973 Grand National would become the first of three Grand National wins for Red Rum and was joint favourite with Crisp, who finished second. Red Rum’s second and third wins in 1974 and 1977 immortalised him as one of the greatest horses to ever race, holding the record for most Grand National wins.
In Grand National 2018 racing bets the current favourite is Blaklion, who was joint-third favourite at last year’s event, where he finished fourth. His trainer, Nigel Twiston-Davies has already trained two Grand National winners and would love to see the favourite ride home to glory this year.
If it weren’t for the race in 1973, Blaklion may not even have the opportunity to race in the Grand National as it may not be taking place anymore, as the facilities had been left to be run down by owner Mrs Mirabel Topham, who was looking to sell the course. The public had become disillusioned and fewer people would attend the Grand National due to the state of the race course. There was often talk that the next Grand National was to be the final one.
But along came Red Rum in 1973 and lining up as the joint-favourite with Crisp at 9/1, no one in the crowd or at home could have anticipated the race they were about to witness. Crisp took an early lead in the race and was dominant over the jumps, managing to move further and further ahead of the rest of the field.
After each jump, Crisp (ridden by Richard Pitman), was extending his lead at the front and the joint favourite was looking more and more likely to ride to victory. Crisp, who was carrying the top weight of twelve stone had pulled away from closest challenge Grey Sombrero. This lead had been extended to around twenty lengths when Grey Sombrero fell at The Chair and by the time Crisp and Pitman reached Becher’s Brook for the second time they had what seemed like an unsurmountable lead of thirty lengths.
As Crisp passed the Elbow he held onto a solid lead, however he was starting to tire and Pitman, while reaching the whip, let go of his head allowing the following horses to gain ground. One of those behind the leader in the chasing pack was Red Rum who was breaking away from the chasing pack and starting to close the gap, a gap that no Grand National betting tips could have predicted prior to the race. Despite being so far behind Crisp for much of the race, Red Rum would stage an incredible comeback to win by three quarters of a length.
Red Rum had won his first Grand National and did so in style, while also helping to revive the popularity of the race. His race wins in 1974 and 1977 along with his two second place finishes in 1975 and 1976 helped him secure legendary status in the sport. Such was his reputation within the sport that he had a bronze statue dedicated to him and had his ashes buried at the finishing post at the Aintree course.
