SANDRACER.COM ALL WEATHER RACING BLOG

◢ The 1980 National was won easily by outsider Ben Nevis at 40/1, trained by Tim Forster and ridden by American amateur horseman Charlie Fenwick. The US-bred horse won by 20 lengths in 10 minutes 17.4 seconds on heavy ground. Rough and Tumble (11/1), trained by Fred Rimell with jockey John Burke up top, took second.

Third was The Pilgarlic (50/1), trained by Tony Dickinson with Tommy Carmody holding the reins, and fourth was Royal Stuart (66/1), trained by Neville Crump with jockey Dennis Atkins aboard.

Of 30 starters, only FOUR finished ~ the lowest since 1928 ~ due to the brutal conditions. Favourite Rubstic (8/1), the 1979 winner, fell, but Ben Nevis’s transatlantic tale from across the pond shone through.

1980 Grand National Race Details🎗
• Full Racecard Details
• Full Finishing Order
• Non Finishers
• 1980 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1980 Grand National Recommended Video Vault🎗
• American Charlie Fenwick Rides Ben Nevis To Win 1980 National

◢ The 1981 Grand National was a special one. The history books will record the race was won by Aldaniti at 10/1, trained by Josh Gifford and ridden by the indomitable Bob Champion.

Even after Bob Champion’s cancer battle and all of Aldaniti's injury problems, they still won by four lengths in 9 minutes 47.2 seconds. Spartan Missile (8/1), trained by Nicky Henderson with jockey John Thorne aboard, took second.

Third was Royal Mail (16/1), trained by Stan Mellor with jockey, and now equine sculpturer Philip Blacker aboard. Fourth in was Senator Mac (50/1), trained by John Edwards with Tommy Carmody.

Of the 39 starters, 19 finished. Favourite Zongalero (7/1) fell at Becher’s.

▩ Aldaniti’s and Bob's story stole the show. The emotional triumph inspired a film⏵ ▪▪Champions▪▪

1981 Grand National Race Details🎗
• Full Racecard Details
• Full Finishing Order
• Non Finishers
• 1981 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1981 Grand National Recommended Video Vault🎗
• Bob Champion Chats To Thommo About 81 National Win On Aldaniti
• Full Length Interview with 81 National Winner Bob Champion

◢ 1982 Grand National >> run on April 3 at Aintree >> was taken away from the front by Grittar at 7/1, trained by Frank Gilman and ridden by amateur jock Dick Saunders. The horse led all the way, winning by 15 lengths in 9 minutes 12.6 seconds. Hard Outlook (50/1), trained by Tony Dickinson with rider Anthony Webber for company, took second.

Third was Loving Words (33/1), trained by Jimmy FitzGerald with Phil Tuck aboard, and fourth was Delmoss (40/1), trained by Fulke Walwyn with jockey Paul Barton in the hot seat.

Of 39 starters, 18 finished. At 48, Saunders became the oldest winning jockey in Grand National history, promptly retiring post ~ race. The 11/2 favourite Silver Buck, trained by Tony Dickinson, fell at the first, ending what was thought to be a strong bid for the yard.

1982 Grand National Race Details🎗
• Full Racecard Details
• Full Finishing Order
• Non Finishers
• 1982 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1982 Grand National Recommended Video Vault🎗
• 1982 Grand National Post Race Winners Enclosure

◢ The 1983 Grand National was picked up by Corbiere at 13/1. Expertly trained as usual by the legendary Jenny Pitman and well ridden by jockey Ben de Haan. The gelding won by 3/4's of a length in 9 minutes 47.4 seconds. Greasepaint (12/1), trained by Dermot Weld with jockey Tommy Carmody in charge, took second.

Third was Yer Man (50/1), trained by Tony Dickinson with jockey Anthony Webber aboard, while Hallo Dandy (20/1), trained by Gordon W. Richards and jockey Neale Doughty with the whip, nabbed fourth ~ foreshadowing his 1984 win.

Of 41 starters, 19 finished. Notably, Pitman’s historic win as the first female trainer to triumph demarked a milestone in horseracing history.

1983 Grand National Race Details🎗
• Full Racecard Details
• Full Finishing Order
• Non Finishers
• 1983 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1983 Grand National Recommended Video Vault🎗
• 1983 Grand National Handicap Full Rerun Alternative
• 1983 Grand National BBC Highlights Programme

◢ The 1984 Grand National was won by Hallo Dandy at 13/1, trained by Gordon W. Richards and ridden by Neale Doughty. The horse led late to win by four lengths in 9 minutes 21.4 seconds. Greasepaint (9/1), trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Tommy Carmody, took second.

Third was Corbiere (16/1), trained by Jenny Pitman with Ben de Haan, the defending champ holding firm. Fourth was Lucky Vane (25/1), trained by David Murray Smith with John Bryan aboard.

Of 40 starters, 23 finished ~ a high tally. Notably, Hallo Dandy had been a 60/1 shot earlier in the betting, and Pitman became the first woman trainer to win, via 1983’s Corbiere.

1984 Grand National Race Details🎗
• Full Racecard Details
• Full Finishing Order
• Non Finishers
• 1984 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1984 Grand National Recommended Video Vault🎗
• 1984 Grand National Handicap Full Rerun Alternative

◢ The 1985 Grand National, run on April 6, was won by the unfancied Last Suspect at 50/1, trained by Tim Forster and ridden by Hywel Davies. The 11-year-old outsider surged late to win by 1½ lengths in 9 minutes 41.8 seconds. Mr Snugfit (12/1), trained by Bill Bissill and ridden by Phil Tuck, took second.

Third was Corbiere (10/1), trained by Jenny Pitman with Peter Scudamore aboard ~ the 1983 winner was still in decent National form. Fourth was Young Driver (16/1), trained by Nicky Henderson with jockey Chris Grant up top.

Of 40 starters, 17 finished. Notably, Last Suspect’s jockey Davies nearly refused to ride, thinking the horse too slow, making the upset even sweeter.

1985 Grand National Race Details🎗
• Full Racecard Details
• Full Finishing Order
• Non Finishers
• 1985 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1985 Grand National Recommended Video Vault🎗
• Full Race And Follow Last Suspect Into Winners Enclosure
• National Winning Jockeys Presentation by Princess Anne In 1985

◢ The 1986 National, (April 5 at Aintree racecourse) saw West Tip triumph at 15/2, trained by Michael Oliver and ridden by Richard Dunwoody. After falling in 1985, the horse redeemed himself, winning by two lengths in 9 minutes 33 seconds. Young Driver (20/1), trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by jockey Chris Grant, took second.

Third was Classified (25/1), trained by Fred Winter with Steve Smith Eccles aboard, while Mr Snugfit (12/1), trained by Bill Bissill and ridden by Phil Tuck, grabbed fourth.

Of 40 starters, 18 finished. Notably, 9/2 favourite Dark Ivy refused at the 19th, and West Tip’s win marked Dunwoody’s first of three National victories, cementing his reputation early on.

1986 Grand National Race Details🎗
• Full Racecard Details
• Full Finishing Order
• Non Finishers
• 1986 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1986 Grand National Recommended Video Vault🎗
• 1986 Grand National Australian Full Coverage Part One
• 1986 Grand National Australian Full Coverage Part Two

◢ The 1987 Grand National was won well by Maori Venture at 28/1, trained by Andrew Turnell and ridden by Steve Knight. The 11yo outsider led late to win by five lengths in 9 minutes 19.2 seconds. The Tsarevich (16/1), trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by John White, took second.

Third was Lean Ar Aghaidh (50/1), trained by Stan Mellor with Guy Landau aboard, while West Tip (15/2) out of the Michael Oliver yard was ridden by Richard Dunwoody, into fourth ~ his third top-four finish.

Of 40 starters, 18 finished. Notably, 9/2 favourite Dark Ivy fell fatally at Becher’s, a somber note in a race where Maori Venture’s amateur jockey Knight delivered a fairy-tale triumph.

1987 Grand National Race Details🎗
• Full Racecard Details
• Full Finishing Order
• Non Finishers
• 1987 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1987 Grand National Recommended Video Vault🎗
• 1987 Grand National Post Race Analysis

◢ 1988's National was won by Rhyme ‘N’ Reason at 10/1, trained by David Murray Smith and ridden by Brendan Powell. Horse and jockey combined to win by four lengths in 9 minutes 53.8 seconds. Durham Edition (15/2), trained by Arthur Moore with jockey Chris Grant up top, took second prize.

Third was Monanore (20/1), trained by Jimmy FitzGerald and ridden by Tom Taaffe, with West Tip (8/1), trained by Michael Oliver and ridden by Richard Dunwoody, in fourth ~ the 1986 winner showing true grit running so well 4 years older.

Of 40 starters, 11 finished. Notably, 13/2 favourite Strands of Gold fell early, and the race saw seven fallers at the first fence, adding chaos to a dramatic renewal.

1988 Grand National Race Details🎗
• Full Racecard Details
• Full Finishing Order
• Non Finishers
• 1988 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1988 Grand National Recommended Video Vault🎗
• 1988 Grand National Extended Coverage
• 1988 Grand National Post Race Analysis

◢ The 1989 Grand National, held on April 8 at Aintree, saw Little Polveir win at 28/1, trained by John Edwards and ridden by Jimmy Frost. The 12-year-old surged late to beat the National warhorse West Tip (12/1), trained by Michael Oliver and ridden by Richard Dunwoody, by seven lengths in 9 minutes 46.6 seconds.

Third home was The Thinker (10/1), trained by Arthur Stephenson with jockey Simon Sherwood aboard. Fourth place went to Lastofthebrownies (16/1), who was trained by Michael “Mouse” Morris and ridden by Tommy Carmody.

Of 40 starters, 14 finished. Notably, 1987 winner Maori Venture fell at the 22nd, and 10/1 joint-favourite Dixton House, trained by John Thorne, faded to seventh after leading early.

1989 Grand National Race Details🎗
• Full Racecard Details
• Full Finishing Order
• Non Finishers
• 1989 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1989 Grand National Recommended Video Vault🎗
• 1989 Grand National Extended Coverage
• 1989 Grand National Post Race Analysis