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What a thriller! One of the best races of all time. Still as exciting today as it was then.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiGaX0d_Pjk
Tremendous effort by Crisp and an equally persevering run from Red Rum.
When triumph and heartbreak collide.
Although I became a huge fan of Red Rum everytime I see this race I so want Crisp to hold on – everything about him that day was superb – how he flew those fences on his own – such a brave front running performance under that weight – he deserved to win but sadly he didn’t … those final strides on the run-in are heartbreaking seeing him rolling around. Just glad he survived!
Thanks for that link.
I was there that day, fantastic atmosphere. I backed Grey Sombrero and we were standing by the Chair!I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highwaysGreat race – I wonder how many people’s fledgling interest in the sport was ignited that day. Mine certainly.
First meeting I ever attended & we had a "run ashore" in Birkenhead that weekend, much ale was drunk!
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highwaysOf all the races before and since I have never wanted a horse to win so much as Crisp that day.
As much as Red Rum was a fantastic horse around Aintree I believe that if Crisp had held on he would have become the Aintree legend.
It’s heartbreaking to watch him on that long run in.I backed Crisp that day and like most true racing fans, my heart bled for Fred Winter’s horse.
What is often forgotten is that Red Rum and Crisp met again in November of that year, in a match race at Doncaster.
Crisp beat Red Rum by a distance.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Over 3m 2f, nowhere near far enough for Red Rum!
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highwaysThanks for that link.
I was there that day, fantastic atmosphere. I backed Grey Sombrero and we were standing by the Chair!Poor Grey Sombrero – a lovely grey – in a clear lead when falling at the Chair and breaking his shoulder – and still standing there then the race finished a circuit later … he should have been pts much quicker …
I too felt for Crisp that day, the sight of his ears going all floppy as he was out on his feet still brings a tear to the eye. However the dogged determination of Red Rum as he closed in on him, running straight as an arrow, was so impressive. (Don’t forget he carried 12 stone himself when winning in 1974)
It was tragic to see the stunning Grey Sombrero standing there with his useless leg just kind of swinging.Cormack… without a doubt the race that switched me on to racing. I’d backed Red Rum (well, my grandad put two bob each way on for me) and couldn’t believe it when he got up to win. It took me many years to realise that Crisp was every bit as much a hero that day.
Like many other posters, every time I watch that race now I want Crisp to hang on.
Best comment on that race was Peter Bromley’s commentary, something like: "Red Rum first, Crisp second and the rest don’t matter, we will never see a race like that for 100 years."
Spot on.
- Total Posts 102
Nothing will surpass that Jumping round Crisp put in at Aintree for me, i was 14 at the time and fell in Love with the bravery and brilliance he showed that day.
I attended the Whitbread Gold cup two years later on his farewell run and for a few wonderful moments just after the last of the railway fences he pulled a couple of lengths clear, however April the Seventh began to catch him and when he hit the second last that was it.
Followed him all the way back to the unsaddling enclosure just to say goodbye.
Dont think you will ever see a 20 odd length victor of the Champion Chase run in the National ever again
Great race – I wonder how many people’s fledgling interest in the sport was ignited that day. Mine certainly.
A really interesting point – if the race was run now, many of us would say how great we thought it was, but would add the proviso that the sight of a stricken Grey Sombrero would potentially put a newcomer to the sport off for life. We always try (for good reason) to speak for newcomers/outsiders, yet we seem to misread how such people will view events. That was also one of the first races I saw (in replay – it was the 1977 race which I watched live and which enthralled me) which cemented my love of the sport. The 1977 race saw two good horses (Winter Rain and Zetas Son) killed as well, and yet I haven’t met anyone who was soured by such an initial experience.
- Total Posts 102
Rory, dont think Grey Sombrero was really that evident on the telly then. It would have been different if you were there i suppose.
I now just occasionally play the race and stop it just after the last fence
Great race – I wonder how many people’s fledgling interest in the sport was ignited that day. Mine certainly.
A really interesting point – if the race was run now, many of us would say how great we thought it was, but would add the proviso that the sight of a stricken Grey Sombrero would potentially put a newcomer to the sport off for life. We always try (for good reason) to speak for newcomers/outsiders, yet we seem to misread how such people will view events. That was also one of the first races I saw (in replay – it was the 1977 race which I watched live and which enthralled me) which cemented my love of the sport. The 1977 race saw two good horses (Winter Rain and Zetas Son) killed as well, and yet I haven’t met anyone who was soured by such an initial experience.
The 77 National was my fourth live Race so to speak but the first that i understood the order of the fences.
I can remember Winter Rain falling and the camera angle too didnt help its the most sickening fall i`ve seen at aintree and i still feel dread when i watch the replays even now as they approach Bechers.Surprised no one’s mentioned the ride on Crisp, a passenger for most of the race, when the horse actually needed some help on the run in the jockey was found sadly lacking.
Just a pity for Crisp’s sake that John Francome didn’t ride all of Fred Winters at the time although in hindsight I’m quite pleased Red Rum got up on the day as he may not have become the horse he was if he hadn’t.A really interesting point – if the race was run now, many of us would say how great we thought it was, but would add the proviso that the sight of a stricken Grey Sombrero would potentially put a newcomer to the sport off for life. We always try (for good reason) to speak for newcomers/outsiders, yet we seem to misread how such people will view events.
Yes, there is a much more heightened sensitivity (rightly so) towards the welfare aspects of racing these days. In the ’70s, as best as my memory serves, TV wouldn’t tend to report news of horse casualties often until the end of the programme (if at all) whereas now incidents are reported quickly and as a matter of priority. All of which is right, but it does serve to leave a bitter taste when you see a great race and then learn immediately that one of the horses has been injured or worse.
But you are right I think, we probably do mis-read how people view such incidents.
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