The BBC Grand National 1970 - Gay Trip

[@ysgol3]

I was 9, knew nothing of horse racing and bet my pocket money on Gay Trip. My parents and grandparents, all gone now, were amazed. I still know nothing about the sport, and never won again. For example, I bet on Red Rum twice, but in 1975 and 76, the years he came second. But I still remember 1970 and it still makes me smile.

[@ftorres93]

A perfect executed round by both Gay Trip and Pat Taafe.

[@speakfreeley4473]

Had seriously considered doing something about the 3rd fence after all the carnage over it during that year's meeting, not just the National but the other two races that went over the big jumps. However after much thought they left it as it was, no doubt for the best.

[@waqarkhan25]

you got to feel for Terry Beddicome who got the flu night before the Grand National and was so bad he missed the ride on Gay trip which could have to give hem the biggest win in his life but he has to settle with Best Mate winning 3 gold cup

[@gerfome]

Mr Frisk 1989 still holds record.

[@paulallen1539]

He won in 1990. Little Polveir won in '89. Don't think his record will be beaten now the distance has been reduced to 4m 2½f

[@beverleymorris167]

And he always will....the race is shorter now and a shadow of it's former self as a test of horses...due to the safety modifications.

[@leroyjoseph6896]

Any races on the mildmay course from 1970-74?

[@malcs0]

I remember seeing a video, a history of this race up until 1986, which suggested the jockeys all complained that the fences were above 5ft in height. Certainly the first open ditch did appear very big, and a number appeared to clamber over, rather than jump it.

[@teenoso4069]

Same complaint about the 3rd/19th happened in 1980

[@darrenjohnbryant51]

Beautiful British 70 s

[@stevejones4235]

Fast going always sees fatal fallers. Specify brought down 2nd time at Bechers might have pushed GT. Taffe was a legend and the tiny horse jumped like a stag. Agree with comments below about the 3rd fence.

[@julzyboy1973]

I agree Specify was going very well when he was brought down. With the weight difference, Specify would have won imo

[@gazowen7310]

Superb jockey my granddad backed like he always did with Rimmel

[@arriva1237]

I was 7 when my mum put an old 6d or 2 1/2 pence on for me at 15/1 when I won , work that out. Found out asking a guy who was cleaning his windows when I was on my way home from the swimming baths with my big brother and our mates, good times!

[@josephjohnston8573]

Small field of 28 ran. Was that some sort of window dressing because of the '67 incident? Pat Taafe seemed to be chatting all the way around! A supercool ride on a little two miler. I note how he went the short way around but then went wide at Becher's. Many tried to do that back in the day but he executed perfectly.

[@teenoso4069]

No. In 1968, 45-ran. Fields are down to a few factors including the proceeding winter and fixtures, the number of eligible runners and qualification rules for that year

[@stephenholmes1036]

The Beeches a good horse

[@stevejones4235]

Pat Taafe was chatting all the round and just popping fences for fun. Those were the days.

[@shaunspadah5790]

This race is similar to the late 40s early 50s national or the grand crashional as they called it lots of early fallers and not much happening on the 2nd circuit

[@teenoso4069]

1978 too

[@levisjeans1901]

Has anybody got the Topham and Foxhunters from 1970: would be interesting to see the problems the open ditch caused in those races as I have heard much about the height and stiffness of fence 3 that year?

[@ssuganda]

There was a complaint form the Jockeys that they thought that the 3rd fence had been built to the wrong height.

[@teenoso4069]

@@ssuganda There was the same complaints in 1980. I recall Francome, Hembrow and Fenwick standing in the ditch being interviewed on Grandstand. Its supposed to be 4'10, but was more like 5ft

[@leroyjoseph6896]

Why did they change the fences on the mildmay course from 1975?

[@teenoso4069]

Commercial reasons. The nursery fences were seldom used and when they were the fields were small and gave no pointers to the National. Arguably the best thing on Bill Davies' watch

[@davidkent8606]

What a strange National, only 28 runners, which quickly turned into a much smaller group of closely bunched runners, won by a middle distance horse in the absence of any really out and out stayers. Does anyone know why the field was so small that year?

[@davidkent8606]

@Richard - the Red Rum/Crisp National was also a strange one inasmuch as Crisp really ran the race at a great pace, and I don't know if it still is the fastest time ever posted for the National, but it was 20 seconds faster than any previous National at the time. So Crisp must have run at 2 to 2 and a half mile pace for most of the race, just slowing down at the jumps.

[@bernardthegwp71020]

@Richard - Mr Frisk broke Red Rums record in 1990 in 8 mins 47 seconds which was run on bone dry going. Never be beat as they have reduced the distance.

[@shaunspadah5790]

the reason why there were big fields in the 60s was because everyone kept thinking it was gonna be the last national, so owners, trainers wanted a final shot at it, however think people got fed up of every national being the last and in the 70s the fields were mostly smaller

[@paulallan7995]

@@davidkent8606 I backed grey sombrero that day...fell at the chair but as they passed on the run in you can see the horse was on its feet...yet they put it down

[@teenoso4069]

@@shaunspadah5790 Also the qualification rules were jigged round most years leading to a range of entries numbers.

[@shaunspadah5790]

The controversy with this race is fence 3 which has caused mayhem in this race and appears to have caused problems in the topham or foxhunters or both ossie Dale might have made the fence too hard and I reckon the fence was modified after this 71 till 76 just the odd faller

[@teenoso4069]

Interesting to hear of this. Makes sense as 77-85 it appears to take out a few. The same accusation was made of the 3rd/19th in 1980. 9 of the 30 runners were taken out from memory that year

[@johnjoyce341]

It was very strange to see such a small field running down to Bechers first time with a lot of callers having reduced the field right down

[@julzyboy1973]

Yes quite a few fell at the third but it was a small field in any case. Perhaps 28 at most.

[@glynnevans1851]

@@julzyboy1973 Quite right sir but still a fab race' can't believe it is 50 Years since Gay Trip won n poor Terry Biddlecombe missed the winning ride watched in hospital..Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🤝

[@julzyboy1973]

@@glynnevans1851 yes and I am gutted because even though the race is nowhere as good as it used to be, I'm still going to miss it big time. Will have to make do with the virtual race instead Glynn

[@glynnevans1851]

@@julzyboy1973 Hi n Cheers for your reply. May I ask were r u from sir ..Kind regards Glynn

[@julzyboy1973]

@@glynnevans1851 Hi Glynn I'm from Sutton Coldfield West Mids

[@mikelewis1436]

By my reckoning this was Rondetto's sixth successive National - is that a record?

[@bernardthegwp71020]

Manifesto ran in 8 consecutive races

[@mikelewis1436]

Incredible!

[@gazowenowen250]

Specify cantering when falling my dad backed it the next year

[@shaunspadah5790]

Gay trip ran a better race in the forgotten 1972 race giving huge weight to the winner and biddlecombes strange riding might have got that 2nd national and legendary status

[@chatham43]

...yep......Mercy Rimell...wife of the trainer was not impressed......

[@Hornbeaming]

Taafe looked like he was standing up in the stirrups all the way around.

[@sparkle935]

Yes youre right, he was such a good jockey, and knew how to keep gay trip at a steady pace ,and challenge at the last two fences, super race 🤗

[@glynnevans1851]

@@sparkle935 Certainly was Neil, Pat was Momentous and very underrated and modest too. Shame Terry Biddlecombe missed a winning ride through injury n watched the race in hospital. Do you by any chance no why the field was only 28 runners?..Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands 🤝

[@julzyboy1973]

Canal Turn first time round, the horse looks fatally injured but is not listed as a fatality. I think it was French Excuse. Can anybody confirm please?

[@chatham43]

....it was French Excuse but I think the horse was just winded......however Raccoon was a fatality at fence three....this is wiki-referenced....

[@julzyboy1973]

chatham43 cheers mate

[@grahamvaughan8764]

I worked for Fred Rimmel at the time and it was French Excuse but the horse was all ok and ran after the national at Ayr later the same year

[@glynnevans1851]

@@grahamvaughan8764 High Graham interesting info ,also were you with Fred when he had a nice grey horse called Iceman ' I remember him running in the 73 Topham Trophy won by another nice grey called Inch Arran .The fences then a Fabulous sight to see sir ..Kind regards Glynn n Greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🤝

[@julzyboy1973]

@@grahamvaughan8764 Thanks for the info Graham

[@shaunspadah5790]

At the 3rd two springs falls on the move and Rondetta fall on the outside game Purston unseats just behind them may have suffered interference rockoon in the white then falls fatility permit jumps it ok then bd by two springs bowgeeno and the grey the beeches fall on the inside out of shot

[@teenoso4069]

pathe have clearer shots

[@shaunspadah5790]

The loose horse cud have caused mayhem at f12 when he decides to stòp

[@trevorsmith3305]

my mum had this winner.

[@jtyt1123]

Super

[@christaylor5668]

Proper fences, not like the ones today

[@levisjeans1901]

I was watching the December 2019 Aintree meeting on tv yesterday, and there were more fallers on the traditional steeplechase course than over the National fences

[@glynnevans1851]

@@levisjeans1901 Quite right sir. The Grand national course as become a joke n no test of skill.Health and safety and do gooders have ruined the Grand national ' I haven't watched it for about 10 years now,No Spectical any more🤔.This particular year 1970 winning jockey Pat Taffe was very underrated also poor Terry Biddlecombe watched the race in hospital and missed his winning ride as Pat took his place ...Kind regards Glynn n Greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK

[@levisjeans1901]

Glynn Evans, thankyou for your comment. Pity we can't get together as I have a dvd of all the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s Grand Nationals. We could enjoy the thrills and spills without the pc brigade looking in!!

[@glynnevans1851]

@@levisjeans1901 Hi sir ,Many thanks for your reply. It Makes me Very Sad' how are Grand National as lost its identity and become less exciting than a long distance point to point..Apart from 1973 my other favourite National is 72 when Gay Trip/Terry Biddlecombe RIP 'made a valiant effort to peg back Well To Do but up until 1989 they all had a Special story to tell.For me sir it was after 1989 that the National slowly became pointless with each subsequent year endless modifications. Yes it would be Fab to get together and remember Golden memories. Also we must not for get The Topham Trophy and Liverpool foxhunters chase In 1972 Sunny Lad won a Fab race that day and Credit Call who won the Liverpool foxhunters chase I think 3 times he was so clever and his jockey Chris Collins was a very accomplished rider. May I ask were r U from sir. Kind regards Glynn

[@levisjeans1901]

Glynn, your knowledge is weighty indeed. I am afraid I purely enjoy the race from a visual spectacle perspective. I am based in Hampshire Sir

[@gazowenowen250]

a non stayer but a proper class horse

[@noelgaynor5496]

49 yrs ago i had gay trip to win had 2 pound on it , cant understand why pat taffe was slill whiping the harse going over the line, he was 15 furlongs ahead, anyway took the day of work and got hammered

[@ronaldcustard4636]

noel gaynor Can you remember what you won?

[@glynnevans1851]

@Richard - Quite right sir. That was Pat Taffes style and what a legendary horse man he was n at the finish he was Mustard at getting any horse over the line .Wish he had ridden Gay Trip in 71 n72, Fabulous N.H racing late 60s n 70s ..in 73 did Richard Pitman cost Crisp the race .?...Kind regards Glynn n Greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands

[@julzyboy1973]

@@glynnevans1851 I think Pitman did cost Crisp the race. Not only was the horse knackered but so was he. Crisp was a 2 miler and if he'd given the horse a breather, he may have gotten home but credit to Fletcher on Rummy who realised he had to get after Crisp sooner rather than later.

[@glynnevans1851]

@@julzyboy1973 Hello sir, Many thanks for your reply 'The memory of that race never leaves me as I was a big N.H racing fan then especially Fred Winter n Fred Rimell. Can't help thinking if John Francome had ridden Crisp he may of won but Brian Fletcher stated he was always going to catch Crisp. My late dad always said if' s buts n wondering May be 's Don't win Nationals .Sadly today s race is a shadow of its former glory Ruined by Do Gooders and Health n Safety .N.H racing is a dangerous sport full stop..I was born 1960 and my first T.V national was 1967 say no more!!..I have been to Aintree in 1981,84,85,89,90 but since 1990 the race as become watered down to Nothing now..Do you go back to the wonderful duels Lanzarote and Comedy of errors had also then Fab racing commentors on both channels. Peter O'Sullivan and Julian Wilson second to none and John Rickman who ust to drop his Trilby hat n welcome every body and John Lawrence too plus brought Scott on ITV or Channel 4 ' only Scottie left now the others all RIP Bless them All sir..My kind regards Glynn n Greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🤝

[@josephjohnston8573]

@@julzyboy1973 Pitman's '73 ride on Crisp was ridiculous. Taafe showed how to get a two miler around.

[@PatrickFoy-gv5lu]

It's not grand anymore just a normal handicap chase it used to be a challenge for horse and rider quote ginger MC Cain God bless him 🐴

[@chatham43]

@patrick If you couldn't jump you wouldn't get round. Now a half decent hurdler could get round.

[@shaunspadah5790]

bad commentary by julian wilson,

[@babaza1972]

Bear in mind he was covering from the 1st to the 12th, he didn't do a bad job. Could you do better?

[@shaunspadah5790]

his commentary was stilted, sounded nervous, where was the 3rd commentator, actually wilsons commentaries in some nationals were legendary especially 73 and 77

[@babaza1972]

shaun spadah I think I'd be nervous having to cover such a large part of the course! Michael o Hehir had been dropped after the 69 race so there was no third caller.

[@shaunspadah5790]

is it actually true that o hehir got dropped after the 69 race quite a few commentaters did a handful of nationals in the 60s bob haynes, michael seth smith and 1 or 2 others, o hehir did some bbc radio national commentaries in the 80s

[@CharlotteWeb100]

How anyone call commentary of this race poor is beyond me.

[@shaunspadah5790]

awful camera work at fence 3

[@levisjeans1901]

Agree with this comment. There were plenty of falls, but you hardly see them at the third fence. Although it is a splendid special tackle to watch, I like to know that the horses and jockeys walk away

[@levisjeans1901]

Excuse my predictive text. I meant spectacle!

[@teenoso4069]

pathe have a different angle

[@alastairjinks6966]

Year of my birth

[@ianbennett1491]

The grand has gone out of the race .If the do-gooders had their way it would be made a flat race.

[@chatham43]

@ianbennet Just rename it the English national and be done with it!

[@teenoso4069]

@@chatham43 or Merseyside Long Distance Soft Plastic Fence Excessive Prizemoney for what it has become (formerly the Proper fence, distance, field size Grand National) Race. Restore the wood core to fences and banish the environmentally bad plastic

[@teenoso4069]

@@chatham43 Grand National in name only long distance brush fences

[@gazowenowen250]

a non stayer but a proper class horse