It is difficult to argue that Red Rum is not the greatest Grand National horse of all time, having won the the world-famous steeplechase an unprecedented three times, in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and finished second in both the intervening years. However, on the occasion of his first win, on March 31, 1973, despite being sent off as 9/1 joint-favourite, he actually turned out to be the villain of the piece to some extent.
Trained by the inimitable Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain and ridden by Brian Fletcher, Red Rum shared favouritism with the Australian-bred Crisp, trained by Fred Winter and ridden by Richard Pitman. Indeed, it was Crisp who made much of the running and, having established a sizable lead, was left even further clear when his nearest pursuer, Grey Sombrero, fell at The Chair towrds the end of the first circuit. Despite top weight of 12 stone, continued in tremendous style throughout the second circuit and jumping Becher’s Brook was still 20 lengths clear of Red Rum.
Red Rum, who was carrying 10st 5lb, 23lb less than his market rival, started to make steady headway on the run to the third-last fence, but was still fully 15 lengths behind as the pair started off up the infamously long-run in. Agonsingly, approaching the Elbow, Crisp started to wander around under pressure and inside the final furlong the writing was on the wall for the ailing leader. Sir Peter O’Sullevan described the action thus, “Crisp is getting very tired, and Red Rum is pounding after him. Red Rum is the one who’s finishing the strongest. He’s going to get up! Red Rum is going to win the National. At the line Red Rum has just snatched it from Crisp!”
Just three-quarters of a length separated the pair at the line, with a yawning, 25-length gap back to the third horse home, L’Escargot, who had already won the Cheltenham Gold Cup twice and would win the Grand National in 1975. Red Red also set a new course record of 9:1.90, which would stand until 1990.