National stage

were the commentators. Neville Crump trained his third and final Grand National winner, MERRYMAN II, ridden by Gerry Scott, who acted as the Grand National starter in 1996. Merryman II was the last winner trained in Yorkshire until Sue Smith’s Auroras Encore scored in 2013. Crump was also successful with Sheila’s Cottage in 1948 and Teal four seasons later.

1970 Pat TAAFFE, famous for his partnership with the great Arkle, landed a second Grand National victory aboard the Fred Rimell-trained GAY TRIP. It was Taafffe’s last ride in the race and he passed away at the age of 62 on July 7, 1992. Rimell was winning his third Grand National after successes with E.S.B. in 1956 and Nicolaus Silver 1961. Rag Trade gave him a fourth win in 1976 – a record which was later equalled by Ginger McCain with Red Rum’s three successes and Amberleigh House.

1980 Despite seeming to be unsuited to heavy ground BEN NEVIS won the Grand National in desperate conditions which saw only four finishers.

The 12-year-old was ridden by merchant banker Charlie Fenwick, who became the second American amateur to triumph in the race following Tommy Smith 15 years earlier. A month after the National Aintree mourned the death of Mirabal Topham, chairman and managing director of Topham Ltd, who owned the racecourse for 36 years to 1973.

1990 The Kim Bailey-trained MR FRISK, who was owned by 80-year-old American Lois Duffey, who lived to the age of 96, recorded the fastest winning time in the Grand National of 8m47.8s. The record still stands to this day, despite the distance being shortened. Marcus Armytage rode him and is the most recent amateur rider to be successful. Armytage now covers the Grand National and racing throughout the year as a journalist for the Daily Telegraph.

2000 Following on from Tommy and Paul Carberry with Bobbyjo 12 months earlier another Irish fatherand-son team landed the Grand National. PAPILLON, ridden by Ruby Walsh and trained by his father Ted, landed a massive gamble to become the 20th Irish-trained winner. The nine-year-old was backed down to 10-1 from 33-1 throughout the day and reportedly cost the bookmakers £10million. Ruby Walsh went on to win the Grand National with the Willie Mullins-trained Hedgehunter in 2005, while sister Katie – who led up Papillon – is still the most successful female jockey in the race thanks to her third-placed finish on Seabass in 2012. The race in 2000 was worth £500,000 for the first time.

2010 DON’T PUSH IT provided an emotional first Grand National victory for legendary rider Sir Tony McCoy. It was also a first success for former champion jockey-turned-trainer Jonjo O’Neill and powerful owner JP McManus. McCoy, who was having his 15th ride in the Grand National, is the most successful National Hunt jockey of all time, winning every big race.

But winning the Grand National was his greatest triumph. Don’t Push It’s win led to the 20-time champion jockey being voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Prize money was boosted to £925,000 and, for the first time, remounting was not allowed. McCoy – like contemporary Ruby Walsh – now provides expert analysis for ITV Racing.