On this day in 1931, Grakle won the 90th Grand National at Aintree - which reminds us, next week it's 'Aintree week' here on Sporting Life.
Keith Piggott - father of Lester - was expected to take the saddle, but he was ruled out having suffered a broken thigh.
Bob Lyall stood in to ride the nine-year-old, who was owned by Cecil Taylor, a cotton broker in Liverpool, and trained by Tom Coulthwaite on Cannock Chase.
Grakle set off at odds of 100/6 as a field of 43 horses looked to last the distance and land the winner's cheque of £9,310.
There was a collision at Valentine's Brook, when jockey Billy Payne made a gallant recovery after Big Black Boy had fallen, while Eric Foster was able to remount Gib after being brought down.
Gregalach, winner of the famous steeplechase in 1929, continued to take up the running over the second time around.
Grakle, though, edged ahead to lead into the final fence and Lyall found enough in the closing stages to hold off Gregalach by one-and-a-half lengths at the winning post. Annandale was third, with Rhyticere placing fourth.
Aintree week
It would've been the Randox Health Grand National on Saturday, April 4, but for the current shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, we'll still be celebrating all things Aintree next week as we look back on some of the great stories from the past, from Devon Loch to Tiger Roll and plenty more besides.
Coming up during Aintree week...
- Let’s talk about... Tiger Roll
- From the archives: Topham Chase
- Let’s talk about... Foinavon
- From the archives: Aintree Bowl
- Dave Ord’s Grand National memories
- Inside the Industry - Latest from Oli Bell
- Let’s talk about... Devon Loch
- From the archives: Aintree Hurdle
- Let’s talk about... Esha Ness
- From the archives: Melling Chase
- Ed Chamberlin – Presenting the National
- Let’s talk about... best ever National bet
- From the archives: Liverpool Hurdle
- My National runner - Oli Bell
- Let’s talk about... Red Rum
- From the archives: Grand National
- How I won the National – Daryl Jacob
- Let’s talk about… What would’ve won this year’s National
- From the archives: Tiger Roll’s Nationals
- Ed Chamberlin – Five favourite Nationals