1987 Grand National Aintree

A race that never gets any easier to watch but full of great old names

[@albertthefish3683]

The loose horse that past the post first, was 100-1 outsider 'Smartside', who unseated his jockey at the very first fence, ironically he jumped every fence after that, and went on to complete the race riderless. I remember reading the report in the newspaper the next day, and it pointed out something like 'Maori Venture' wins the National, with the riderless but gallant 'Smartside' in front of him. Also pointing out that the horse kept running after parting company with his jockey at the first.

[@ElizabethCoral]

I always thought that was Brown Trix, who completed the course riderless after falling early on.

[@chrisnorbury1907]

Brown Trix was the riderless horse after David Pitcher flew off him at the 3rd

[@waqarkhan25]

@@chrisnorbury1907 no he did not ride brown Trix, not until the 1989 Grand National or how sure are you

[@chrisnorbury1907]

@@waqarkhan25 He was his jockey in this race he rode Brown Trix a few times before the 1989 National only completed once a distant 5th David Pitcher who owned him bought him from Fred Winter John Francome was his regular rider then won a total of 6 races when David Pitcher bought him Toby Balding was his trainer Pitcher owned and rode other horses aswell Sunlit River Malya Mal Leney Dual who he rode in the 1985 National & Perfect Approach terrible rider he was went into motor racing after Brown Trix was killed

[@alisonstevenson6023]

Glad to say that the whip rules have changed since these days. I lost count how many times poor attitude adjuster was struck. I backed him that day but sadly he was not in the top three, but at least he came back safely

[@joe-mz7kr]

I race, and the whip rules now are totally useless and so are the padded whips? The whip has to be used hard so the horse feels it.

[@michaeljohnson5365]

IN 1977 Sebastion v and Andy Pandy was in front of Red Rum at the finishing line

[@ElizabethCoral]

Poor Dark Ivy...I remember seeing him win by 25 lengths at Ayr (beat Durham Edition) - I thought he was a certainty for the National! Madden's riding of Attitude Adjuster was a disgrace! 😡

[@waqarkhan25]

no it was not the horse was not that fast he have to force the horse to run his race other the traner and the owner would have not let madden ride Attitude Adjuster other jockeys in Ireland said the horse need good kickng up the back side to make him run he 4 time In the National

[@ElizabethCoral]

Hmmm yes maybe but it's still uncomfortable watching Madden belt the horse...and it's made worst by the fact that he caused Dark Ivy's fall by jumping across him at Becher's.

[@waqarkhan25]

@@ElizabethCoral no he did not caused

[@joe-mz7kr]

​@@waqarkhan25I race, and a lot of horses do need belting very hard to keep them focused, and the padded whip is totally useless that i use, i would sooner use one of the old type of race whip, and i can only whip the horse a certain amount of is ridiculous.

[@waqarkhan25]

if that is so then you should write a letter to BHA and horse racing welfare to let them know you rather use the old whip than the padded whip@@joe-mz7kr

[@waqarkhan25]

I just wish the Aintree executive open the Centre of the race course to the public bring the cars and pick nick basket they bring long and the tent for betting and other food and not forgetting the souvenir shop too plus it's they only time when few rich class & middle class & working class meet and become friends for a while at the centre of the Aintree ad not forgetting when people stand at the Becher's broke to Canal turn people bring there cars and boats also Pick nick Basket and also some betting book makes and from Canal turn to the 12 fence or next people stand there and watch the horses go over to those fences we don't see that any more