The BBC Grand National 1976 - Rag Trade

.......Rag Trade ridden by Jimmy Burke and trained by Fred Rimell frustrates Red Rums second attempt at a third Grand National win....it was Tommy Stack's first National ride on Rummy....deposed jockey Brian Fletcher rode the third, the mare Eyecatcher.....

[@chrisblanchard3882]

I’m glad I witnessed the greatest horse ever to race and win the Grand National. His record will never be matched. RIP Red Rum

[@anthonycamilleri9960]

I am very lucky to have lived through the Red Rum era that horse was a superstar.

[@buffalosowljah373]

it was great to see rummy going in 5 grand nations and finishing in the top 2 i can see any other horse do that amazing horse ..maybe tiger run would have done that if if wasnt for the cwap going ons about weight

[@amandacerasale4679]

Wasn't he just

[@bernardbrady1926]

Redrum a brilliant horse.the pillgarlec was a great horse to even though he never won a national

[@jerryoshea3116]

My goodness! ..Yrs later watching these Classics &it still makes the Hairs stand up on the back of my Neck!.. 'Rag Trade' was fantastic on this day&but 'Red Rum' was just relentless!.. So calm&measured throughout the Race!... And U had Brian Fletcher at first&then Tommy Stack,but I think 'Red Rum' could have started the Race a full 2 or 3 min behind the other Horses&still caught them up!. And whenever I watch these" ' Classics' I spend a lot of time scoping out where 'Red Rum' is?. It seems like he would just Trot' around usually in the middle of the group,avoid trouble&then suddenly he was 8,then 7&6&5 .and 4&u know the rest!.. Fascinating &always genuine drama when u watch these ' Re runs'👍☘️ For showing them!..

[@chatham43]

My pleasure😊

[@shelleymoore5740]

First time l've seen this race , and never realised the Dikler ran in the national. He put in a superb round of jumping, ears pricked all the way, he just ran out of steam but finished a gallant sixth. It was so lovely to see all these superstar chasers in action again, what great memories !

[@chatham43]

@shelleymoore Glad you enjoyed it. I've uploaded most of the BBC nationals if you're interested😊

[@shelleymoore5740]

@@chatham43 thank you, l am 😊

[@chuckemeade]

The Dikler also ran in the 1975 Grand National won by L'escargot.

[@mikelewis1436]

Ran out of gas the previous year as well...

[@shelleymoore5740]

@@mikelewis1436 just didn't get the trip l guess, still a top class chaser though, one of my favourites, along with the brilliant Istabraq.

[@amandacerasale4679]

I can remember watching this race I was nearly 16 years old then (16 in May of that year 1976) and just about to leave school (left school on my 16th birthday which was on Friday May 21st 1976 just at the start of the famous long hot summer)

[@colinpearce7079]

So many superstars from the jumping world,Red Rum,Brian Fletcher,Eyecatcher,Tommy Stack & so many more,from a different era & a different breed,so pleased I grew up watching & witnessing these great sporting heroes,Colin P.👍

[@alisonstevenson6023]

I love looking back at red rums nationals, he jumped those fences for fun. He was & still is the greatest, there will never be another rummy. Such a superstar.

[@gazowen7310]

Indisputable

[@klausmorlock5766]

What a beautiful horse Rag Trade was.

[@bonzodog6872]

the Duke of Albuqurque was some character to be riding in the national at 57

[@chatham43]

...anyone know his last National......?

[@bonzodog6872]

chatham43 I believe this was his last national the stewards revoked his licence the following year to save him from himself.it would never happen now but a few years earlier in 74 I think he completed the national in a neck brace.not sure how true this is but legend has it that he used to book a room in a private hospital near liverpool for the week after the national.he took an awful trampling in this 1976 race and yet returned to spain and kept riding there into the mid 80's.got to love his enthusiasm

[@babaza1972]

Just to clarify, in 1974 he rode with a broken collarbone and completed for the only time in 8th place.

[@chatham43]

....I think his first National was in '52 believe it or not.....sure there's a photograph of him flying over a fence after his horse refused in that race....

[@babaza1972]

There is a picture of him in that race, but I believe it to be another jockey flying over the fence. Let me check :)

[@josephclift3662]

Dear old Red Rum. He was the greatest

[@leroyjoseph6896]

Tommy stack knew he should have won in 1976, went for home earlier in 1977, that’s why he won

[@julzyboy1973]

went for home in 77....nothing to beat. Anything that could have beaten him in 77 had fallen. Andy Pandy, Davy Lad, Sebastian etc

[@carina914]

Sad what happened to Rag Trade a couple of years later. RIP. Rummy amazing as ever here

[@davidcole2078]

Spanish Step's last race, he ran a corker.The reason he faded to 9th after being so prominent was that a horse fell in front of him causing a dreadful cut, otherwise people would have been talking about the historic fact of him being placed 4 times.

[@ianbennett1491]

Spanish Steps .Greatest horse never to win the National.Never fell.

[@myfrobert]

West Tip accomplished such a feat even with one victory.

[@kevinmartin7606]

West tip fell in 1985

[@myfrobert]

@@kevinmartin7606 I know. I mean West Tip managed to place in GN 4 times.

[@davidmastin416]

The collision with the fallen Golden Rapper caused the gash on Spanish Steps.

[@LilithCharles]

Thank you so much for these old races! I love them!🎉👏🐎

[@chatham43]

......glad you're enjoying them all.....😊

[@gazowenowen250]

don't quite think john Burke got the credit he deserved as a jockey

[@teenoso4069]

Arguably, today the 29th would have been bypassed. The Iron Duke took on seven broken ribs, several broken vertebrae, a broken wrist, a broken thigh, and severe concussion to leave him in a coma

[@levisjeans1901]

Well said Mark -the race is a pale shadow of its former self. Huge crowds gathered at Bechers Brook as it was virtually a dead cert that you would witness thrills and spills there

[@darksharkrafa1]

Still gives me butterflies...gutted about this year...dont see why they cant run it in november

[@leeandrews2473]

Rummy another second there is no holding him.back GREAT horse RIP

[@goodlife6145]

Not only a fantastic race but the commentary is also perfect!

[@chrisdowling8094]

Hardly!

[@andrewnelis9791]

Little bit before my time, but enjoy watching the Golden oldies

[@NeilR4960]

Sad John Burke died in 1995. RIP

[@gazowen7310]

Oh did he

[@kathcordingley215]

Francome going over the 19th " See you lot in the weighing room "

[@gazowen7310]

Might of won

[@joepenn427]

I remember watching this in Potters Bar. A friend (Pop) had L'Escargot in a double with Captain Christy (at 33-1 ante-post) in the Gold Cup.

[@justgrand3429]

You "remember watching this in Potters Bar"?. This is the 1976 Grand National. L'escargot won the race in 1975. There's no L'escargot in this race. Captain Christy did not contest the 1976 Gold Cup, he was pulled up in the 1975 Gold Cup. I can only assume you were drunk in Mr Potter's bar.

[@julzyboy1973]

Definitely got this all mixed up. Christy won Gold Cup in 74. L'escargot won GN in 75

[@AbCat4]

6:31 a horrifying fall for Golden Rapper and John Francome, but a massive shout out to the agility of Prolan, the grey, who probably avoided killing one of them by swerving left just after landing at full speed from the highest point of Becher's. He unseated Mouse Morris of course. I wonder what happened to that horse though?

[@julzyboy1973]

Prolan was a 7 year old and miraculously stayed up at the 1st. Never appeared in another GN. Can only assume this was down to injuries. As an 8 year old in 77 he would've been serious contender like Andy Pandy was who was another who only got one tilt.

[@teenoso4069]

@@julzyboy1973 +Strands of Gold (1988) = 1 tilt

[@julzyboy1973]

@@teenoso4069 yes same fence going down the inside ridden by Scu?

[@paulmotley793]

"Churchtown Lad".🤣🤣

[@myfrobert]

Tragically, the winner Rag Trade was pulled up lame before the 21st fence in the 1978 edition of this race and was later euthanized.

[@chatham43]

...ridden by Jonjo o Neill...he also rode the tragic Alverton the following year....he had a disastrious record in the national......

[@myfrobert]

Yeah, he was even never able to finish the race as a rider. Luckily, his record as a trainer here has been much better.

[@quick46]

Not that much, he's had a Gold Cup winner killed in it

[@shaunspadah5790]

i think jonjo rode uncle bing to victory in the 1980 topham, he only had 8 rides i think, huge bad luck, rag trade, again the same broke down, alverton suffered a heart attack, beacon time got baulked,

[@jamesmenzies7986]

Was it not John Francome that rode Uncle Bing as he was the usual rider.

[@aspenrebel]

Oh I guess they made an error, Red Rum won a 3rd time in 1977 (and '73 & '74) 2nd in '75 & '76.

[@andycross9840]

I loved Red Rum (along with Desert Orchid) my two favourite EVER horses, pure winners with guts and sheer determination. What I will say about Rummy's hat-trick in the GN though....I think as well as his brilliance as a racehorse, it was written in the stars for him to achieve that feat. If you look at his first win in 73' Crisp would have won if not so knackered at the end carrying that extra weight, he lost concentration and had nothing left - and then in 77', firstly Boomdocker refused at the start of the 2nd circuit when way ahead and also Andy Pandy came down at Bechers when in the lead which left Rummy taking it up. Like I say, it all came together for Rummy when it mattered.

[@gazowen7310]

Also beat gold cup winners

[@simonwoods8809]

Regarding Crisp losing concentration, that may be true but Richard Pitman admitted that he made an error in transferring his whip from one hand to the other and that may have cost him the race. He talks about this in an excellent documentary which lasts about 15 minutes uploaded by Joe McNally I think. It is thumbnailed "Richard Pitman Talks About The 1973 Grand National" if I recall correctly.

[@greentombdive]

They’ve turned into just a listed steeplechase.

[@shaunspadah5790]

So strange going to the last Bryan Fletcher v red rum

[@davidcole9971]

What may not be known is that as can be seen the 13 year old Spanish Steps was leading at one stage. A horse fell in front of him at Beeches the 2nd time around. This caused a terrible gash to Steps leg which saw him fade to 9th. I wonder if that bit of misfortune hadn't occured perhaps we would be talking in terms of history for Spanish Steps finishing placed 4 times instead of 3.

[@gazowen7310]

Thought at one stage eyecatcher was gonna win he was a good horse rag trade

[@jtyt1123]

Super race, use to be the greatest spectacle, not any more

[@TheGiantKillers]

No. It's better. better horses, better quality, better jumping and a better race. Most of these horses were average chasers at best. Today nothing from outside the handicap gets near the race.

[@markbosley26]

Utter rubbish Ulster.

[@quick46]

Better horses? a dual Gold Cup winner won it in 75 ffs

[@TheGiantKillers]

1975 top 50 rated chasers. 17 entered, 9 ran. 2017 top 50 rated chasers 43 entered, 28 ran.

[@markbosley26]

I wonder then why TV audience figures have dropped significantly, and no one can remember the the names of the wimners anymore..? Most people of a certain age with an interest in racing can pretty easily remember the names and years of every winner from the time they began following the sport until about '95, then things tail of rapidly.

[@darksharkrafa1]

I was fuming this year..i backed Golden Rapper and Prolan...both going well up front when Golden Rapper fell and brought down Prolan at Beechers 22nd fence.

[@gazowenowen250]

For what its worth golden wrapper might of won

[@darksharkrafa1]

I think you are right Gaz

[@chatham43]

..glad to have brought back such happy memories of the race.....lol...

[@julzyboy1973]

Francome was on Rag Trade the year before and was stone last. He chooses Golden Rapper instead and falls at bechers. No luck for greatest jockey.

[@johnjoyce341]

It's very sad to see what the National has become.Its no longer a spectacle.Its still a great race but it's lost a lot of its appeal.Commentary was brilliant too.

[@lycangypsypriest3190]

magical!!!!!!!!!!!🐎🐎🎋🎋

[@waqarkhan25]

does any know which country did Duke of Albuquerque came from I know he is not from America or Canada

[@julzyboy1973]

Pretty sure he was spanish. If not spanish then portuguese

[@waqarkhan25]

@@julzyboy1973 ok but please find out if it not to much trouble

[@gazowen7310]

Rimmell knew how to get one ready

[@alangeorgebarstow]

RIP John Hanmer.

[@keithknight1686]

In 1976 race was graced by Red Rum, The Dikler (why didn't they run him when in his prime) Spanish Steps, Money Market and numerous good-class handicappers. The race these days, even after the modifications to fences and race conditions, fails to attract such a quality of horse. The top-weight in 2022 is a horse that has fallen twice around Aintree and is a long-time between drinks, as they say.

[@teenoso4069]

Totally agree. The race in those days attracted a greater range of abilities and with it more stories and dreams. Now all the abilities are compressed and the names not household. They pretend its a better race today, but its the Grand National in name only

[@keithknight1686]

@@teenoso4069 Sadly, I agree with you. Last year, for instance, they made a fairytale out of the most successful jockey riding at the time over the National fences winning, when the real story was that the race is now so neutered that a novice having its sixth (?) run over fences won the race. They must change the conditions as this year a winner of the Welsh National and Classic Chase cannot run as he has not run in enough chases. It says it all.

[@paulinewoodhouse1038]

They go very straight at the cannel turn in these older race compared to today's style!!

[@quick46]

Cos they had a fence to jump back then, not a spruce hurdle

[@julzyboy1973]

I'm sure the jockey was called John Burke not Jimmy Burke OP

[@gazowenowen250]

Trained by the master that was Fred rimmell

[@aspenrebel]

Why does the information for the upcoming 2020 Grand National say that Red Rum won a 3rd race in 1976 if this video shows he came in 2nd? Did Rag Trade get DQ'd?

[@darrenmaples3451]

He won it again in 1977

[@waqarkhan25]

and does any know what is the reason the Duke of Albuquerque rides in The Grand National and not any race at the Cheltenham festival

[@julzyboy1973]

because he loved the GN and dreamt of winning it.

[@waqarkhan25]

@@julzyboy1973thanks very much for info

[@teenoso4069]

He dreamt of GN glory after watching a film. He was just one of a series of colourful amateurs that tried to win its post war. What set him apart was he bred, owned and rode his horse. Look up Alfonso Antonio Vicente Blas Angel Francisco Borgia Cabeza de Vaca y Leighton Carvajal y Are, 11th Marquess of Portago, - thats one person :)

[@waqarkhan25]

@@teenoso4069 is that his name it's a mouth full name he got

[@gazowenowen250]

to me francome had his chance here on golden wrapper

[@burnleyfan11965]

Every time i see Golden Wrapper go over Bechers 2nd time i wince,cos im amazed he got up from it.

[@julzyboy1973]

@@burnleyfan11965 Beau Bob the year before was not so lucky.

[@burnleyfan11965]

@@julzyboy1973 Sadly he wasnnt, but his jockey is the one to blame there. He had lost touch with the leaders and he should never have been allowed to jump Bechers

[@gazowenowen250]

I'm talking about golden wrapper

[@julzyboy1973]

@@gazowenowen250 we know mate. What we are saying is that another horse fell in an identical manner at the same fence the year before but the horse was killed.

[@iancruise6927]

Julian Wilson was so poor as a commentator. Struggled to get a horses name right

[@stephengardner7409]

True, but his analysis was brilliant . He and Peter O'Sullevan were a great team.

[@leroyjoseph6896]

Tiger would not get round in the 70’s or 80’s

[@petermcmanus2037]

Churchtown Lad🤣

[@markbosley26]

You're right, isn't the commentary terrible. I don't know if the excitement of the occasion got to the commentators or what... Watching it again 43 years later it's easy now to forget how exciting ithe race used to be. That must've affected the commentary because it sounds really bad by all of them.

[@bernardthegwp71020]

Julian Wilson was terrible looking back at these GNs, once is bad enough but its must have been 4 or 5 times he called him lad instead of boy, surely someone could have said something to him in the control room.

[@eddiehitler8257]

JW and Sir Peter were terrific but not incapable of mistakes. John Hanmer was less excitable and seldom dropped clangers.

[@gazowenowen250]

Wilson was a crap commentator

[@keithwellerlounge74]

1993 - 1997 was great when they replaced Julian Wilson with Jim McGrath. With all due respect, Wilson was the epitome of the old BBC style of getting some clueless posh bloke on with no charisma. As if the public want that....

[@aspenrebel]

oh this year's (2020) favorite Tiger Roll won the past 2. OK.

[@cyrilodwyer8741]

Onewiishburnnchu rch poduibhir

[@leroyjoseph6896]

How would tiger roll have done if he ran in the Nationals in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s?

[@quick46]

@@leroyjoseph6896 he'd have quite possibly been killed, he jumped way too low & quick for these fences

[@beverleymorris167]

@@leroyjoseph6896 not in the frame in any.