Grand National 1988

[@malcs0]

One of my favourite Nationals. "Rhyme 'n' Reason had won an Irish Grand National as a younger horse. His mistake at first Becher's caused an injury which caused his retirement, but also affected his saddle. His rider, Brendan Powell Snr, performed miracles to win on him. He was a brilliant horse who never fulfilled his true potential. I believe he also won the first ever running of the Racing Post Chase at Kempton Park.

[@tommytimetelevision3316]

WHAT A RACE ! I was on the edge of my seat with my heart thumping in March 2021

[@trudij1974]

That's him - and a midland national by 25 lengths as a novice ;) and a loveley family pet of a horse as well. Cried my heart out when he died :( thankyou so much for putting this up (again!)

[@flipflop1975ify]

I remember this fondly. As a 13 year old Point To Point regular in the North West, seeing Big Brown Bear's 5 minutes leading made me cry with pride, as if I was the owner.

[@lottiebelottie]

I had the great joy to live next door.to Mr Geoff Hubbards yard. We used to stand in my nieces nursery and watch the horses on the gallops. What a lovely man he was.. He used to invite me to his owners and trainers day and I met Gee A several times...

[@trudij1974]

OMG - I have looked for this race for years - my friends owned Midnight Madness who ran in this GN, and all ive managed to get is the racetech footage which only had two cameras - thankyou thankyou thankyou !!!!

[@teenoso4069]

1987 and 1988 welsh national and the same for the Hennessy - all on here

[@agincourt141]

I was there that day, had a massive bet on him for me £40, so did my brother & mates. It was a special day, watching a special horse. I watch the race every now and then and still can't believe he won after nearly falling and then headed at the second last. Amazing.

[@dixiescored60]

Superb...my first big winner in the National. I nearly tore my slip up at the second last.

[@davidsharpe7202]

my only national winner

[@mackiemacintyre]

Thanks for posting this saw rhyme win at sandown in the January from an impossible position to win and told anybody who would listen he would win the national wish I found it so easy to pick them now

[@julzyboy1973]

Remarkable that he won, look at 2.01, he was stone last after a mistake at Bechers. I was 14 at the time and he was my third winner, all in even number years 84, 86, the trend continued in '90, '92 & 94 then did not get the winner until '99

[@chriscolton6329]

Strands of Gold was travelling ominously well, when he departed at Bechers, on the second circuit, a bit like Weat Tip, in 1985. Astonishing recovery by Rhyme and Reason and Brendan Powell, after the tumble at first Bechers. Durham Edition was a game Aintree campaigner, bless him. Similar to old Greasepaint, a few years earlier. So consistent, but Just fell short of winning it.

[@tigerarmyrule]

Every Grand national is a great event. This was one of the better races. Thanks.

[@tigerarmyrule]

Back in the days when the fences still represented a challenge.

[@grincher2006]

One of my favourite Grand nationals. 40 runners, stiff fences and no fatalities, which was quite normal for 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1988

[@rohansrider]

That's said, look at Bechers' second time, and the fallen horse in the ditch was very lucky not to have been fatally hurt. As we all know, the following year 89 Brown Trix was not so lucky and was stuck in the ditch injured and together with SeeandEm didn't make it. The ditch was filled in and the landing side steep fall away flattened out.

[@lilli969]

Thank you for all the nice comments. Juliet Reed (Owner)

[@gazowen7310]

He was a lovely horse

[@markfizz2012]

Had the winner,but had a much larger bet on Strands of Gold who was in a common canter under the best NH jockey ever when coming down at The Brook 2nd time. Scu's reaction when he hurled his whip at the fence tells me that I think we might have been involved at the finish. As a side note,the following year I had a monster ew bet on Little Polveir and the rest is history 🙂

[@shaunspadah5790]

at fence 28 about 5 left in it and about 6 stragglers, a proper steeplechase, now u have 25 horses in a cluster goin to fence 28

[@speakfreeley4473]

Have walked the course some years back before it was "sanitized". It was a week or two before the race when the fences were ready or being readied for jumping, so a good time to go. Back then it was effectively a park (e.g. dog walkers, joggers etc). Although the course close to the stadium was off limits, meaning I couldn't get a close look at 'The Chair', all the other fences, including Beechers, I was able to get a close-up view of them. Nowadays, Aintree also has an Autumn meeting, though I believe the whole course has been cordoned off all year round now.

[@MEECHIO]

Rhyme n Reason was a high class winner of this race, his win even more remarkable when considering he made a terrible mistake at Bechers 1st time. As a side note Strands of Gold and Little Polvier were both going very well when exiting on the second circuit and one could feasibly say they would've been involved at the finish. In fact Little Polvier came back the following year and won it for Toby Balding and Jimmy Frost having been in the care of John Edwards and ridden by Tom Morgan in this race.

[@julzyboy1973]

the year before this, Little Polveir sent Colin Brown flying at The Chair. not many horses have failed to get round twice then gone on to win it.

[@tootsie323]

Judging by the jockey's reaction after Strands of Gold fell I'd guess he must have thought that he was on a winner at the time!

[@shaunspadah5790]

funny seeing scudermore losing his rag at bechers , hundreds of people runnin across the track at the end, great race memorable times,

[@gjpowell]

Speed kills. Compare the fatalities now with the 1960s (or the 1980s, where the class horses stayed away after Alverton in 1979 - very few fatalities in that decade and then nearly only at the old Bechers slopes). Crazy policy to lower the fences and speed up the race.......

[@kevinmunday5782]

I backed Durham Edition, but Rhyme"n" Reason was pure class, He won from looking beaten more than once . This was one of the Best Nationals imho

[@garygordon5756]

proper stiff fences. 40 runners, plenty of fallers and excitement and no fatalities. Today GN is run over the softest fences in the UK. Just not the same race. I pity those that never had the chance to watch the race in the 70s and 80s.

[@rohansrider]

With respect to your comments, I suggest you rewatch all the 1989 race, and then read all the comments . The National came very close to being banned; thankfully wisdom, logic and decency prevailed and we still have the race today . There was a furore at the time that involved just abut everybody who was actively involved in NH racing as well as Joe Public . Whilst I accept fully that going too fast does cause more careless falls as the horses and the jockeys don't measure the fences accurately the fences are not "the softest in the UK" they still need jumping. Bechers was a very trappy, fence and I for one did not want to see dead horses lying in the ditch. Horses' bodies covered in tarpaulin is not an edifying sight either and at all costs must be avoided .Animal Welfare, RSPCA, and worse Animal Rights groups are too powerful not to influence the race. Happily the Grand National is still an excellent day out and a great experience but the days of Red Rum and many others wonderful horses are over. Enjoy what we have now and be glad. We have to move on. The last five years have had no fatalities and if that's due to 'softer fences' then I for one am happy. I love NH racing too much to see it banished to the archives of history.

[@shaunspadah5790]

watched my first national in 73 so i know how exiting the race was then, that now has all gone and the present race is a waste of time

[@shaunspadah5790]

i was one of those lucky enough to have seen 70, 80s nationals, everything got put on hold on grand national day, couldnt care less about the race today

[@TheGiantKillers]

Voice of sense. I have always loved the national since the 70s but am not so rose tinted to ignore the poor quality of the field in those days. Only about six of these runners were in the handicap proper. The other 34 wouldn't have got near the race today. As for jumping. The fences today are fair but are taken at speed, which requires a different level of skill. Today's competitors are better quality and better jumpers.

[@annabelladebonnay8320]

Today it is the Bland National not the Grand National....!!

[@malcs0]

A fantastic ride from Brendan Powell Snr (Brendan Junior is a real chip off the old block!). A brilliant horse, brilliantly ridden. I remember this one well. Not only did Rhyme 'n' Reason hurt himself, but the saddle was also damaged after the blunder at Becher's first time. However, a memorable victory, a great race and wonderful memories. I hope Juliet Reed is still going strong.

[@grincher2006]

course hunter's recovery at 2nd becher's has to be one of the best ever.

[@LordMontystink]

You are absolutely right in pointing out how the fatality rate has actually risen over the last couple of decades. I think that there is a bit more to it, though, than the changes to the course. There is more quality in depth. Unfortunately, this leads to horses who have no realistic chance of getting the trip themselves adding speed to the race. Many reliable plodders of yore would not get in the race now. It is not helped by riding style either; jockeys do not "hunt round" nowadays.

[@keithlongworth2350]

Love this race the trouble is the fences don’t seem as hard now.

[@teenoso4069]

Simply they are not. These old fences had tree stump cores with the spruce packed. Today, flimsy plastic cores and loose packed dressing

[@littlepolveir7883]

How the jockey on Brass Change (the grey) got him so far round is astounding, don't think I've seen a horse hate the fences so much.

[@HRHooChicken]

Love the grand national!

[@rosserman2501]

John Hamner proper race caller

[@gazowen7310]

You've got to feel for Chris grant 3 seconds in nationals loved Durham edition

[@markclitheroe900]

Chris had 8 seconds in total over the big fences.

[@pablojablo6371]

I was at the first Hillsborough semi for this . At half time it was announced that Rhyme and Reason had won and half the ground cheered . What a difference it was the the 1989 semis. We told you they lied !

[@teenoso4069]

The days when breasting the National fences wasnt allowed and when the words "daunting" and "formidable" were used

[@nicopatrizi1953]

I saw that race. That weekend my obnoxious uncle, that I nicknamed Creep since, got married with Vamp.

[@shaunspadah5790]

Little polviers unseat is funny

[@mybackpocket]

Watching this makes me realise this was a world without the iPhone, the patent wars, the HD TVs, the internet, the super fast road cars, no terrorist wars, how times change eh...I was only 2 when this was running. Great race.

[@Dannycwhite]

Used to always cheer for Sir jest as a kid he was in about 4 nationals managed 9th once, lucky I was to young to bet 😂

[@markclitheroe900]

Lol..he didnt really stay the trip. My favourite horse . Saw him win his last ever race at Stratford. Got a pic with him after the race.

[@csb7376]

It's probably due to the fact that I was born in 1973, but the Grand National's of the 1980's seemed to have a magical quality about them, almost street party atmosphere around the course that doesn't come across on T.V. with the modern day races.

[@shaunspadah5790]

i remember how exciting watching the 70s and 80s nationals, great commentaters, great atmosphere, crowds around the fences etc, now its fortress aintree, i think every single sport has suffered since the money men took over, racing, snooker, boxing , cricket, etc not the same

[@agincourt141]

I agree, too many changes takes something away from the race. The smaller the obstacles the faster the pace, the worse a fall is for horse & rider. After saying that though, I still thoroughly enjoyed this years race.

[@michaelhiggins5612]

Loving the lack of health and safety!! Great days!!!

[@Leediverify]

i was 15 at the time and remember givin my dad my 4 pound pocket money to put on durham edition to win at somethin like 12-1, still find it hard to believe that he didnt win, was a brilliant race though

[@seanscanlon9067]

@Tom D Apparently every jockey rides a terrible race unless they win.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@Tom D Says anyone who backs a horse that gets beaten or assesses a beaten horse in general. It's never just because the horse was not good enough. Rhyme 'n' Reason starts treading water at the second last, slows right in to it and went from about 3 to 4 lengths up approaching it, to clambering over and losing the lead shortly after. Was Chris Grant then expected to take a pull and rein Durham Edition back to give the winner the lead again? And can you imagine if he did and still got outstayed anyway, just as he did here? People would be saying he was too cocky and should have gone on and put the race to bed after he had the winner in trouble, especially being that he was receiving weight too.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@Tom D The only flaw in your argument is that I am not trying to put words in anybody's mouth and armchair jockeys are forever blaming actual jockeys for horses getting beaten regardless, and do you know how I for sure that I am not putting words into other people's mouths? That will be because you are one of those armchair jockeys who said it freely for yourself. Horse racing might or might not be one of the most bent sports in the world but how is that even relevant to this discussion? You said Chris Grant rode a terrible race here, so are you seriously suggesting he deliberately threw a race like the Grand National? If not then where is the connection between your two comments? Most people with knowledge of horse racing (so you can put your hand down for starters) will know exactly what it meant regarding what I said about Durham Edition. You do know that is the horse Grant is riding here, right? As for your totally childish and irrelevant comment about Grant's appearance, his wife died at a relatively young age and I would imagine when it comes to dealing emotionally with that, compared to a school playground type comment from a keyboard warrior over a ride from 30 odd years ago, I am sure I can guess which would bother him the most of the two scenarios.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@Tom D "I would tell you the flaws in your argument if I had a full day to spare." Yeah I used to be a bit slow at typing too.

[@seanscanlon9067]

​@Tom D I can assure you that I would lose you and find you again, as these exchanges clearly show. Oh the irony though, talking about boring considering you have bored me to tears that I cannot even be bothered to explain your own posts back to you, that you obviously do not understand. As for your glass eye comment, the 1970s just called and asked for its "joke" back.

[@grincher2006]

@k1meagher I recall your horse giving tom morgan a horrific fall at punchestown in 1985 in the grand national trial. He ran in 3 Nationals. Good stayer.

[@betfairscassanova]

pure class, how the hell he won after sitting down (1;49) i'll never know. well i do actually, he injured himself at said time and never ran again, it has been sugested that the truma of the injury induced more adrenalin, what a truly great win, retired a winner.thanks.

[@JohnnyCash08]

I just love it how the horse without jockey runs around the fence at 03:52. Let’s say it jumped all the fences and finished the race first, would it count?

[@lottiebelottie]

No!!

[@dwadlad]

Not often you've had three National winners leading the field halfway round the second circuit. Rhyme and Reason, West Tip, Little Polveir

[@shaunspadah5790]

It's a tragedy what the pc brigade have done to this race people in 88 watched a proper tough national the fences today are ridiculously easy and missing fences on the 2nd circuit makes the race stupid

[@tomwelshy2759]

Totally agree

[@thecardinalsslovakia]

does anyone have videos from grand national 2008, 2006, 1999, 1998 and 1989??? I would love to have them....PLEASE!!!

[@shaunspadah5790]

what happens if your tailed right of then goin to fence 25 theres hundreds of spectators in your way

[@stuartbedford6344]

Hi had durham edition thought he had it in the bag pity always did well in national

[@siobhanwalsh7182]

smiths man was fine:} i backed durham edition, looked sure to win, but rhyme was a class horse ,one of the best winners..

[@nancybreed]

@beesknees91 - actually it was coursehunter, rhyme and reason'smistake was at the first becher's.... look back left at the fence and thats him on his knees.. fantastic recovery to win from there...

[@TheGiantKillers]

Not so sure about that. I'm fairly certain Smith's Man collapsed after pulling up and later died. You can see his rider dismounted at the start of the second circuit as they jump the 17th fence.

[@PepsiBoy3000]

"Strands of Gold is down!" Classic call

[@grincher2006]

@brollytom I totally agree. They have seriously messed up the camera angles for a few years now and wont listen.

[@lilli969]

@Annon1100 Hi he fractured his Hock during the race and could not race again. He lived until he was 18 and died having been biten by a snake whilst he was grazing. very sad but happy memories

[@Cotty73]

Why did the jockey take strands of gold over the steepest part of beechers .

[@JimShadyUK]

@31bellairavenue Lucius won in 1978 - the 1979 winner was Rubstic.

[@grincher2006]

Im 100% certain that Smiths Man (and it goes for any other horse) was fatally injured at this renewal. Smiths Man was pulled up at the 3rd after a broken blood vessel.

[@メーメーマシン]

0:01

[@1989NickyD]

Clive Cox had better luck today at Royal Ascot with Golden Horde than he did here on Sacred Path lol.

[@tobin2]

I had Durham Edition backed that year heartbreak.

[@999LDS]

Amazing ! Stop the clip at 2;01 The winner is absolutely stone last from a bad jump at beechers . How on earth did he win this from that position .

[@rorym1967]

How did rhyme and reason win this after such a bad mistake

[@patrickcarney8808]

hi do you have any extended coverage of any nationals.thanks

[@bates1972]

Not many I'm afraid I will try to find a disc I had awhile ago not sure we're it is now tho lol

[@leroyjoseph6896]

patrick carney 1977 please

[@gazowenowen250]

Strands of gold little polveir both cantering when fell

[@grincher2006]

@nancybreed 100% sure it was course hunter on his knees. rhyme and reason jumps in 5th on the outside

[@Smallscousefox]

poor old Durham Edition! forever the bridesmaid ;o(......

[@tadhgcomhaltas]

Course Hunters mistake at Bechers Brook 2nd time was an unbelievable recovery to go on to finish the race

[@gazowenowen250]

Great winner but dear old Durham edition

[@teenoso4069]

If memory serves Course Hunter made a bad pecking mistake at Bechers in the 87 Topham.

[@TheIke1972]

Has anyone got 1986 grand national WEST TIP

[@LordMontystink]

I am not by any means sure "off" that, but if ever the race is brought to an end it will be decided by knowledgeable people, not by those who make the most noise about it.

[@unionjakjakson]

Backed Durham Edition this day. So when i say this, you are right i am speaking out of my pocket. But why oh why did his Jockey take him to the front when he did!?. The horse was cruising the entire race following others " drafting ". The horse don't know where the winning post is, that's why we have jockeys. Totally F ****D up what was until 2 out, a text book ride. I had to look again to make sure my analysis of the race at the time was not wrong, we never had the internet back then, now i can watch the sad painful spectacle once more. Very silly ride from 2 out, lost the race after doing the hard bit, only to hand it over in the shadow of the post. Still narks me to this day!

[@boomdocker100]

@beesknees91 rhyme n reason made his mistake 1st bechers, course hunter was on his knees second bechers, incidently course hunter was ridden by paul croucher who was sadly killed in a car accident a few weeks later

[@grincher2006]

correction. was should read wasn't :)

[@mattonslow1619]

Strands of Gold was absolutely tanking

[@shaunspadah5790]

the x factor of grand nationals

[@grincher2006]

@PepsiBoy3000 Peter Scudamore was not a happy bunny

[@grincher2006]

@k1meagher I remember Monanore almost killing Tom Morgan in a fall in 1985 at Punchestown, but got a place here and 6th in 1989. Decent chaser.

[@ikeano29]

@willy55willy download it from here lol

[@robcoleman2916]

I had a quid on tullamarine

[@mikelewis1436]

Great ride by Gee Armitage on Gee-A until the closing stages - pretty sure the back injury Gee had suffered was cited as proof by the usual suspects that a woman jockey would never win the National...doh!

[@dawnkeir549]

backed rhyme n reason

[@beesknees91]

it was Rhyme 'n' Reason on his knees at 2nd bechers NOT Course Hunter, Julian Wilson was absolutely useless as a commentator, perfect example watch and listen very carefully to the 1977 Grand National, the same horse is 3rd 7th and 10th all at the same time. Cheers for posting this remarkable National.

[@elsoss180]

Kelvin Walker it WAS Course Hunter at the 2nd Bechers... Rhyme and Reason almost fell at the 1st Bechers... Agree with the rest of your post tho, Wilson was the worst commentator ever! Hopeless..

[@davidchambers7530]

Would of gone 1/100 in running on betfair for plenty the horse which finished second if it took place today looked no chance the winner

[@MegaMissfitz]

I'm gonna say your money's on "GODSMEJUDGE"

[@gerryryan]

poor Chris Grant so close

[@andrelamon2006]

sais la course a gagner voir meme a particper meme le dernier a passer a les honneur