1978 Grand National Explained

1978 Grand National
Horse Race:Grand National
Location:Aintree
Date:1 April 1978
Winning Horse:Lucius
Starting Price:14/1
Winning Jockey:Bob Davies
Winning Trainer: Gordon W. Richards
Winning Owner:Fiona Whitaker
Winning Breeder:Dr. Margaret Lloyd-->
Conditions:Good
Previous:1977
Next:1979

The 1978 Grand National (officially known as The Sun Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 132nd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 1 April 1978. In a close finish between the leading five horses, the winner was Lucius, by about half a length.

Three times winner Red Rum was declared out of the race due to injury, but was allowed to lead the post parade.

Finishing order

PositionNameJockeyAgeHandicap (st-lb)SPDistance
01LuciusBob Davies910-914/1
02Sebastian VRidley Lamb1010-125/1
03DrumroanGerry Newman1010-050/1
04CoolishallMartin O'Halloran910-016/1
05The PilgarlicRichard Evans1010-133/1
06Mickley SeabrightPeter Brookshaw1010-333/1
07Lord BrowndoddJohn Francome1010-716/1
08The SongwriterBryan Smart910-050/1
09Roman BarPat Kiely910-833/1
10Brown AdmiralJohn Burke910-033/1
11Golden WhinSteve Holland810-450/1
12TamalinGraham Thorner1111-225/1
13Lean ForwardJames Evans1210-033/1
14NereoMark Floyd1210-066/1
15Never RockKevin Mooney910-050/1

Non-finishers

[1]

FenceNameJockeyAgeHandicap (st-lb)Starting priceFate
01Cornish PrincessRichard Hoare1010-166/1Fell
01Otter WayJeff King1010-1016/1Fell
01Teddy Bear IIPhilip Blacker1110-450/1Fell
02Hidden ValueTommy Stack1010-025/1Fell
03War BonnetDessie Hughes1010-850/1Fell
04Sadale VIClive Candy1110-166/1Fell
06Gleaming RainSean Treacy1010-025/1Fell
06Henry HallFrank Berry910-066/1Fell
06Tied CottageTommy Carberry1011-49/1Fell
08Irish TonyDennis Atkins1010-033/1Fell
08Master HReg Crank911-210/1Saddle slipped
10Double NegativeColin Tinkler810-033/1Fell
10Shifting GoldBob Champion911-616/1Fell
10SoNiall Madden910-414/1Fell
11BurratorJohn Suthern910-066/1Fell
11Master UphamPaul Barton1010-025/1Fell
11SilkstoneGlenn Graham1010-066/1Fell
13Double BridalBill Smith710-150/1Fell
15Churchtown BoyMartin Blackshaw1110-014/1Fell
19April SeventhAndy Turnell1210-1120/1Refused
21Rag TradeJonjo O'Neill1211-38/1 FPulled Up
22HarbanJoe Byrne910-066/1Unseated Rider

Media coverage and aftermath

David Coleman was back presenting the special edition of Grandstand after missing the previous year's broadcast. The 1976 winner Rag Trade pulled up lame before the 22nd fence and was later euthanized.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Grand National Anorak |. freewebs.com. 27 August 2014.
  2. Web site: 1978 & 1979 – The Grand National & Aintree 1970-79 . Seventiesnationals.webs.com . 2021-08-18.
  3. Book: The Grand National : the history of the Aintree spectacular . Stewart . Peters . Bernard . Parkin . 2005 . History Press Limited . 0-7524-3547-7.