Churchtown Boy

[Ten Plus]

I know he finished 2nd to Red Rum in the National but I seem to remember he had run (won?) the same year’s Topham – is that correct?

[Bachelors Hall]

I know he finished 2nd to Red Rum in the National but I seem to remember he had run (won?) the same year’s Topham – is that correct?

Indeed it is.

His Churchtown Boy was the horse that came closest to preventing Red Rum from winning his record third Grand National, his second placing achieved just 48 hours after he had won the Topham Trophy over a circuit of the National course.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/a-philosophers-circuitous-pursuit-of-fame-150th-grand-national-outsider-has-the-chance-to-take-advantage-of-inside-knowledge-and-make-up-for-an-old-disappointment-1265377.html

[Ten Plus]

Thank you for confirming – he really was one tough horse going against another very tough customer in Red Rum! and today we question Cheltenham Gold winners going for the National "so soon" after …!

[vikingflagship]

wow i didn;t know that shows he was a good horse and also pays red rum even more credit too

vf

[vikingflagship]

wow i didn;t know that shows he was a good horse and also pays red rum even more credit too

vf

[Hurdygurdyman]

In that National Churchtown Boy never knew he was in a race until very late on thanks to Martin Blackshaw. He could put a horse to sleep as good if not better than any other jockey in the game and very seldom misjudge pace. When he won his mounts would never expend an ounce more energy than they had to, he was the original Mr Cool.

It was never more evident than it was in Red Rum’s 3rd National when Churchtown Boy who never got as much as a mention until the second circuit was suddenly right in the race cruising behind Red Rum. Martin was unflappable and took the time to have several long looks round and he was looking very much like the the likely winner until the 2nd last when Churchtown Boy uncharacteristically took the fence out by the roots.

The combination of him possibly not getting the trip, making that almighty blunder and the best National horse in history grabbing 5 lengths off him in a flash was all too much for him and he finished legless but Martin had given him a brilliant ride.

[moehat]

It’s names like that which make me realise how much the race has meant to me over the years; Churchtown Boy, Andy Pandy, The Pilgarlic, Rondetto

. The fact that A Race Apart says of Jonjo ‘now that he has turned his great talent to training, there could be no more popular in the yet unwritten future history of the race than Jonjo greeting a winner…’ how poignant are those words now and how many sporting events have a history to compare to this race?

[honeysdad]

I believe Eyecatcher ran in the 76 Topham before turning out again and finishing third in the National.

[Author]

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