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Even Melody also won the Red Rum Handicap Chase in 1978, back when it was the opener on the Grand National Day racecard and a much more prestigious race. As the other poster said, he was a grand old campaigner and raced until the age of 16. I remember all Neville’s big staying chase winners – Narvik, Canton and Salkeld. None of them were actually ridden by Colin Hawkins for their big race victories, though; Narvik (John Francome, 80 Welsh National), Salkeld (Dennis Atkins, 80 Scottish National), Canton (Kevin Whyte, 83 Scottish National). Dennis Atkins also rode Cancello when he won the Mackeson Gold Cup. Richdee was another one of those chasers who was very prolific at an early age but never quite fulfilled his early promise. In the 1981/82 season, his first over fences, he won 5 of his 7 races, 2 of them at Ascot (inc the valuable Reynoldstown Chase) and went off favourite for the Sun Alliance Chase at the 1982 Cheltenham Festival. Ridley Lamb rode him that day but they finished unplaced. Richdee did like Ascot, though, as he also won there over hurdles and again over fences in April 1983.
Another from the 80s that comes to mind is Little Bay. Funny old character trained by the late Gordon Richards – he had to be held up as late as possible for his challenge,as he tended to down tools once in front. Still managed to win something like 20 races and raced until the age of 13. Though never quite Champion Chase class (think he may have been placed once), he twice won the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree (back when it was the traditional Grand National Day opener) and a couple of good prizes at Ascot. Regularly ridden by Jonjo O’Neill and later John Francome.
I remember him winning the Northumberland Plate in 89 on Orpheus for Guy Harwood. Sad news indeed, RIP.
I remember Ile De Chypre unseating Greville Starkey at Royal Ascot with the race at his mercy. Think it was the King George V Handicap, either that or the Bessborough? Did win the Juddmonte International at York and the Rogers Gold Cup at the Curragh, both under Tony Clark.
I like these nostalgia threads – my faves tend to be staying chasers and prolific winners who raced into their teens. Long list, but here are some off the top of the head
Fortina’s Express (W.A.Stephenson trained, top class Northern campaigner)
Peaty Sandy (81 Welsh National)
Narvik (Neville Crump, 80 Welsh National)
Jimmy Miff (79 Midlands National, raced until 17, still winning at 15)
Professor Plum (Tim Forster trained, consistent winning hcapper)
Canton (another from Neville Crump, 83 Scottish National)
Venture To Cognac (79 RSA Hurdle, 84 Cheltenham/86 Aintree Foxhunters)
Man Alive (79 Mackeson Gold Cup, Gordon Richards trained)
Father Delaney (79 Massey Ferguson Gold Cup, Peter Easterby)
Castle Warden (John Edwards chaser, consistent around park tracks, also liked Perth)
Royal Bond (once thought of as ‘next Arkle’, ran poorly in 3 Gold Cups, though won regularly in Ireland inc final race aged 15)
Bobsline (84 Arkle, still winning at 14)
Royal Judgement (Josh Gifford, seemed to win no end of hunter chases)
Carrigeen Hill (won 9 novice chases off the belt in 78/79 season, raced until 17)
Otter Way (Oliver Carter, 76 Whitbread Cold Cup and top class hunter chaser)
Cavity Hunter (Michael Dickinson)
Tied Cottage (greatest horse never to ‘win’ a Gold Cup, IMO)
Chinrullah (79 Arkle, disq after winning 80 QMCC)
Grand Canyon (winner in UK, France and USA, inc 2 Colonial Cups)
