1998 Grand National
Encyclopedia
The 1998 Grand National was the 151st official renewal of the world-famous Grand National
steeplechase
that took place at Aintree
near Liverpool
, England
, on 4 April 1998.
The race was won in a time of ten minutes and 51.5 seconds and by a distance of 11 lengths by the 7/1 favourite Earth Summit
, ridden by jockey Carl Llewellyn. The winner was trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies
at his base Grange Hill Farm in Naunton
, Gloucestershire
, and ran in the colours of the six-member Summit Partnership, which included Aintree press officer Nigel Payne and former Hereford United
footballer Ricky George
.
37 runners took part, of which five completed the course without mishap, but three horses were fatally injured during the race.
The main race was seen by the smallest Grand National attendance at Aintree since 1985
, with a crowd of just 46,679, over 11,000 less than two years prior.
at Chepstow
in December, having previously won the Scottish Grand National
in 1994 when still a novice. 1992 National winning rider Carl Llewellyn deputised for the injured Tom Jenks, keeping the horse prominent on the first circuit, taking the water jump in sixth place. The favourite moved up to dispute the lead five fences from home and was involved in a straight match with Suny Bay from the third-last before kicking ahead just before the final flight to win a gruelling race by eleven lengths.
Him Of Praise was an eight-year-old who had never finished outside the places in his eleven career starts, including eight over the distance of three miles. His preparation for the National had included four victories, including the Peter Cazelet/Anthony Mildmay memorial chase at Sandown in January before finishing third in the Singer & Friedlander Grand National trial at Uttoxeter
and second ahead of Earth Summit, who finished fifth in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock
in February. Him Of Praise was thought to prefer soft ground and a combination of the rain and his partnership with Irish Champion jockey Charlie Swan saw him backed down to joint-favourite until shortly before the start, before being sent off at 8/1. The partnership was a distant last of seven runners still standing four fences from home when he refused.
Samlee was a nine-year-old who came to prominence after winning the Becher Chase
over one circuit of the Aintree Grand National course in November, having been second in the Scottish Grand National earlier in the year. Another victory in a modest three mile, six furlong chase at Sandown followed in December before finishing third to Earth Summit in the Welsh National and third again in the Eider Chase
at Newcastle
in February. Two-time winning rider Richard Dunwoody
, who was also the most experienced rider in this year's contest, took the ride with the pairing sent off as 8/1 joint-second favourite. Samlee was in touch for a circuit and a half, jumped the Canal Turn
in fifth place, and although his position improved to third after two of those ahead of him fell he was unable to make any headway on the two leaders and was a distance behind them turning back onto the racecourse before being nursed home in third place.
Rough Quest
was the only former winner in the field, having won the race with Mick Fitzgerald
in 1996
. This season he had been second in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock in December before finishing third in the King George VI Chase
at Kempton
on Boxing Day behind Challenger Du Luc. A fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup
16 days before the National did not deter the public from making him the favourite on the morning of the race before drifting to 11/1 at the off. Fitzgerald again took the ride but the ground was always against the former champion who began to struggle at the Canal Turn on the second circuit before being pulled up four fences from home when lying a distant sixth.
Suny Bay was a grey that had finished second in the previous year's National
. Since then he had won both the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase and Hennessy Gold Cup at Haydock and Newbury respectively in November before running unplaced in the King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup. Despite being allocated the 12 stone top weight for the National he was still backed down to 11/1 at the off. Graham Bradley took the ride and the pair ran prominently throughout and pulled clear of the remainder of the field with three fences left to jump to enter a match with Earth Summit. The grey was unable to respond when his rival quickened into the final flight and was unable to get back on terms before being eased up in the final hundred yards to finish 11 lengths down in second.
Other contestants that attracted attention on race day were Challenger Du Luc, 1996 Sun Alliance Chase winner Nahthen Lad (who had finished ninth in last year's National), Banjo, Dun Belle and St. Mellion Fairway.
Of the nine riders making their debut in the race only experienced French rider Thiery Doumen was seriously considered on Ciel de Brion, however it was Ken Whelan who took the debut honours as the only one of the nine to complete the course, finishing fifth. There were also debut rides for Richard McGrath, Seamus Durack and Rupert Wakeley while the remaining four riders all experienced their only Grand National ride. Future racing trainers Tom Dascombe and John Supple, amateur rider Gordon Shenkin and troubled Australian champion rider Jamie Evans all departed on the first circuit.
Stormtracker was withdrawn the day before the race as he was unsuited to the softening ground.
Avro Anson was withdrawn on the morning of the race also due to the unsuitability of the conditions.
, security was tighter at the 1998 National than at any meeting before or since while only a limited number of vehicles with a special permit were allowed inside the racecourse. Security concerns were increased when a bomb was discovered in the Irish port of Dún Laoghaire
a few days before the race, though police stated that there were no indications that the bomb was destined for Aintree.
The deaths of three equine competitors meant the race drew much public criticism and raised questions over the danger of the race, however it was later found that only one of the three deaths, that of Pashto at the first fence, was as a direct result of a fall at a fence. The vet reported that Do Rightly suffered a fatal heart attack on takeoff at the fourth fence while Griffins Bar suffered a broken shoulder while galloping and not while jumping a fence. The Jockey Club
launched an enquiry into the three deaths with questions raised as to the suitability of all three runners to compete in the National. Over the course of the years ahead the qualification standards for horses to take part were tightened.
retained the rights to broadcast the entire three-day meeting live for the 39th consecutive year, with the racing on the Thursday and Friday being broadcast on BBC Two
while the Saturday was broadcast as part of a Grandstand
special on BBC One
, presented by Des Lynam
. Richard Pitman
and Peter Scudamore
provided in-depth analysis of all the races on the card with a detailed preview and re-run of the National itself. Future anchor presenter Clare Balding
interviewed the connections of the runners before the race in the parade ring. Among the several cameras used for the race was a camera set inside the cap of rider Richard Johnson. The jockey cam, as it was called, became a regular feature in years to come but in this year hopes of unique pictures of the race were dashed when Johnson fell from his mount at the first fence.
This was to be the first National of the television era where the winner would not be called home by Peter O'Sullevan
, as 'the voice of racing' had retired the previous year. Jim McGrath
took over the anchor role with Tony O'Hehir covering the field from the fence before Becher's to Valentine's as his father Michael had done from 1967-69. John Hanmer became the senior member of the team, covering the runners over the early fences and coming back towards the racecourse for the 27th consecutive year. BBC Radio covered the race for the 67th time with Peter Bromley
calling the winner home.
The race was also televised live into bookmakers' outlets by Racing UK
using the racecourse commentary team. Graham Goode
called the runners home while all of the national daily newspapers published full colour pullouts with racecard-style guides to the runners.
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
that took place at Aintree
Aintree Racecourse
Aintree Racecourse is a racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England.It was served by Aintree Racecourse railway station until the station closed in the 1960s....
near Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, on 4 April 1998.
The race was won in a time of ten minutes and 51.5 seconds and by a distance of 11 lengths by the 7/1 favourite Earth Summit
Earth Summit (horse)
Earth Summit was foaled in 1988, a son of Celtic Cone who was a winning stayer on the flat and over hurdles. Celtic Cone loved soft ground, as did all of his progeny...
, ridden by jockey Carl Llewellyn. The winner was trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies
Nigel Twiston-Davies
Nigel Twiston-Davies is a British racehorse trainer specialising in National Hunt racing. He is based at stables at Naunton, Gloucestershire....
at his base Grange Hill Farm in Naunton
Naunton
Naunton is a village in Gloucestershire, England. It is situated in the Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty ; approximately 6 miles west of Stow-on-the-Wold and 12 miles east of Cheltenham....
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, and ran in the colours of the six-member Summit Partnership, which included Aintree press officer Nigel Payne and former Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
footballer Ricky George
Ricky George
Ricky George is a former English footballer, businessman and columnist. He is notable for scoring the winning goal for Hereford United in the famous 1971-72 FA Cup match against Newcastle United...
.
37 runners took part, of which five completed the course without mishap, but three horses were fatally injured during the race.
The main race was seen by the smallest Grand National attendance at Aintree since 1985
1985 Grand National
The 1985 Grand National was the 139th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, in April 1985....
, with a crowd of just 46,679, over 11,000 less than two years prior.
Leading contenders
Earth Summit was made the 7/1 favourite, backed down from 10/1 on the morning of the race, after heavy rain on raceday made the ground officially soft, suiting this long-distance mudlark who had won the Welsh NationalWelsh National
The Welsh National is a Grade 3 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Chepstow, Wales, over a distance of about 3 miles and 5½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
at Chepstow
Chepstow Racecourse
Chepstow Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located just outside the town of Chepstow in Monmouthshire, Wales, near the southern end of the Wye Valley which forms the border with England...
in December, having previously won the Scottish Grand National
Scottish Grand National
The Scottish Grand National is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ayr, Scotland, over a distance of approximately 4 miles and 110 yards and 27 fences...
in 1994 when still a novice. 1992 National winning rider Carl Llewellyn deputised for the injured Tom Jenks, keeping the horse prominent on the first circuit, taking the water jump in sixth place. The favourite moved up to dispute the lead five fences from home and was involved in a straight match with Suny Bay from the third-last before kicking ahead just before the final flight to win a gruelling race by eleven lengths.
Him Of Praise was an eight-year-old who had never finished outside the places in his eleven career starts, including eight over the distance of three miles. His preparation for the National had included four victories, including the Peter Cazelet/Anthony Mildmay memorial chase at Sandown in January before finishing third in the Singer & Friedlander Grand National trial at Uttoxeter
Uttoxeter Racecourse
Uttoxeter Racecourse is a National Hunt racecourse in the town of Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire, England.Uttoxeter is a left-handed oval shaped course of one mile two and a half furlongs in circumference....
and second ahead of Earth Summit, who finished fifth in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock
Haydock Park Racecourse
Haydock Park Racecourse is a racecourse in Haydock, Merseyside, England. The track is a mostly flat left-handed oval of around 1 mile 5 furlongs with a very slight rise on the run-in. There are courses for flat racing and National Hunt racing...
in February. Him Of Praise was thought to prefer soft ground and a combination of the rain and his partnership with Irish Champion jockey Charlie Swan saw him backed down to joint-favourite until shortly before the start, before being sent off at 8/1. The partnership was a distant last of seven runners still standing four fences from home when he refused.
Samlee was a nine-year-old who came to prominence after winning the Becher Chase
Becher Chase
The Becher Chase is a Listed National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 3 miles and 2 furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-one fences to be jumped...
over one circuit of the Aintree Grand National course in November, having been second in the Scottish Grand National earlier in the year. Another victory in a modest three mile, six furlong chase at Sandown followed in December before finishing third to Earth Summit in the Welsh National and third again in the Eider Chase
Eider Chase
The Eider Chase is National Hunt race in Great Britain. It is run at Newcastle Racecourse in February, over a distance of 4 miles and 1 furlong....
at Newcastle
Newcastle Racecourse
Newcastle Racecourse is a horse racing course located at Gosforth Park near Newcastle upon Tyne in England. It stages both flat and National Hunt racing, with its biggest meeting being the Northumberland Plate held annually in June.-History:...
in February. Two-time winning rider Richard Dunwoody
Richard Dunwoody
Thomas Richard Dunwoody MBE is a retired British jockey in National Hunt racing. He was a three-time Champion Jockey, riding 1699 British winners in his career. His father was a leading Point to Point rider...
, who was also the most experienced rider in this year's contest, took the ride with the pairing sent off as 8/1 joint-second favourite. Samlee was in touch for a circuit and a half, jumped the Canal Turn
Canal Turn
The Canal Turn is a fence on Aintree Racecourse's National Course and thus is jumped during the Grand National steeplechase which is held annually at the racecourse near Liverpool, England....
in fifth place, and although his position improved to third after two of those ahead of him fell he was unable to make any headway on the two leaders and was a distance behind them turning back onto the racecourse before being nursed home in third place.
Rough Quest
Rough Quest
Rough Quest is a Thoroughbred racehorse most famous for his victory in the 1996 Grand National at Aintree.The horse went to Aintree that year in very good form, having won the Racing Post Chase and finishing second in the recent Cheltenham Gold Cup with the result that the public made him race...
was the only former winner in the field, having won the race with Mick Fitzgerald
Mick Fitzgerald
Mick Fitzgerald is an Irish National Hunt jockey who rode mainly in Great Britain. He has ridden the winners of the Grand National, on Rough Quest in 1996, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on See More Business in 1999. He was the stable jockey for Nicky Henderson and was leading jockey at the...
in 1996
1996 Grand National
The 1996 Grand National was the 149th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree on 30 March 1996....
. This season he had been second in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock in December before finishing third in the King George VI Chase
King George VI Chase
The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 3 miles , and during its running there are eighteen fences to be jumped...
at Kempton
Kempton Park Racecourse
Kempton Park Racecourse is a horse racing track in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England, which is a western suburb of London 16 miles from the city centre. The site is set in of land....
on Boxing Day behind Challenger Du Luc. A fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
16 days before the National did not deter the public from making him the favourite on the morning of the race before drifting to 11/1 at the off. Fitzgerald again took the ride but the ground was always against the former champion who began to struggle at the Canal Turn on the second circuit before being pulled up four fences from home when lying a distant sixth.
Suny Bay was a grey that had finished second in the previous year's National
1997 Grand National
The 1997 Grand National was the 150th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase held at Aintree near Liverpool, England...
. Since then he had won both the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase and Hennessy Gold Cup at Haydock and Newbury respectively in November before running unplaced in the King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup. Despite being allocated the 12 stone top weight for the National he was still backed down to 11/1 at the off. Graham Bradley took the ride and the pair ran prominently throughout and pulled clear of the remainder of the field with three fences left to jump to enter a match with Earth Summit. The grey was unable to respond when his rival quickened into the final flight and was unable to get back on terms before being eased up in the final hundred yards to finish 11 lengths down in second.
Other contestants that attracted attention on race day were Challenger Du Luc, 1996 Sun Alliance Chase winner Nahthen Lad (who had finished ninth in last year's National), Banjo, Dun Belle and St. Mellion Fairway.
Of the nine riders making their debut in the race only experienced French rider Thiery Doumen was seriously considered on Ciel de Brion, however it was Ken Whelan who took the debut honours as the only one of the nine to complete the course, finishing fifth. There were also debut rides for Richard McGrath, Seamus Durack and Rupert Wakeley while the remaining four riders all experienced their only Grand National ride. Future racing trainers Tom Dascombe and John Supple, amateur rider Gordon Shenkin and troubled Australian champion rider Jamie Evans all departed on the first circuit.
Finishing order
| Position | Name | Jockey | Age | Weight (st, lb) | Starting price | Distance |
| 1st | Earth Summit | Carl Llewellyn | 10 | 10-05 | 7/1 F | Won by 11 lengths |
| 2nd | Suny Bay (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Graham Bradley | 9 | 12-00 | 11/1 | A distance |
| 3rd | Samlee (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Richard Dunwoody Richard Dunwoody Thomas Richard Dunwoody MBE is a retired British jockey in National Hunt racing. He was a three-time Champion Jockey, riding 1699 British winners in his career. His father was a leading Point to Point rider... |
9 | 10-01 | 8/1 | 1¼ lengths |
| 4th | St. Mellion Fairway (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Andrew Thornton Andrew Thornton Andrew Thornton is a National Hunt jockey. He was born on October 28, 1972 in Cleveland and schooled at Barnard Castle School in County Durham. He rides mainly for Caroline Bailey,Seamus Mullins,Henrietta Knight,Ben Pollock and Richard Rowe.as well as for many other trainers. He is not related to... |
9 | 10-01 | 20/1 | 27 lengths |
| 5th | Gimme Five | Kenny Whelan | 11 | 10-00 | 25/1 | A distance |
| 6th | Killeshin | Sean Curran | 12 | 10-00 | 25/1 | Last to complete |
Non-finishers
| Fence | Name | Jockey | Age | Weight (st, lb) | Starting price | Fate |
| 1st | Banjo (FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... ) |
Richard Johnson Richard Johnson (jockey) Richard Johnson is an English National Hunt jockey.-Background:Johnson comes from a racing family with his father being an amateur jockey and his mother, Sue Johnson, a successful trainer.-Jockey career:... |
8 | 10-07 | 14/1 | Fell |
| Challenger Du Luc (FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... ) |
Tony McCoy Tony McCoy Anthony Peter McCoy OBE , commonly known as A. P. McCoy or Tony McCoy, is a Northern Irish horse racing jockey.... |
8 | 11-03 | 12/1 | Fell | |
| Diwali Dancer | Robert Thornton Robert Thornton (jockey) Robert "Choc" Thornton is an English National Hunt jockey currently employed as stable jockey to Alan King.... |
8 | 10-00 | 100/1 | Fell | |
| Pashto | John Kavanagh | 11 | 10-00 | 100/1 | Fell (fatally) | |
| What A Hand | Chris Maude | 10 | 10-00 | 66/1 | Hampered, unseated rider | |
| 3rd | Fabricator | John Supple | 12 | 10-00 | 150/1 | Fell |
| 4th | Do Rightly (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Paul Holley | 9 | 10-00 | 100/1 | Fell (fatally) |
| 5th | Celtic Abbey | Norman Williamson Norman Williamson Norman Williamson is a professional jockey in the Irish National Hunt.- References :... |
10 | 10-00 | 33/1 | Fell |
| Griffins Bar | Glenn Tormey | 10 | 10-00 | 200/1 | Fell (fatally) | |
| 6th (Becher's Brook Becher's Brook Becher's Brook is a fence jumped during the Grand National, a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. It is jumped twice during the race, as the sixth and 22nd fence, as well as on four other occasions during the year... ) |
Choisty (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Richard McGrath | 8 | 10-00 | 40/1 | Fell |
| Court Melody (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Timmy Murphy Timmy Murphy Timothy James Murphy , commonly known as Timmy Murphy, is a National Hunt jockey who overcame difficult personal problems to win the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on the horse Comply or Die. He recorded his 1,000th winner at Taunton on 21 January 2010.- References :... |
10 | 10-04 | 25/1 | Hampered, fell | |
| 9th (Valentine's) | Dun Belle (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Tom Treacy | 9 | 10-00 | 18/1 | Unseated rider |
| 11th | Damas (FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... ) |
Jamie Evans | 7 | 10-00 | 200/1 | Tailed off, refused, unseated rider |
| General Crack (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Joe Tizzard | 9 | 10-01 | 40/1 | Pulled up | |
| Nahthen Lad (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Rod Farrant | 9 | 10-03 | 13/1 | Unseated rider | |
| 14th | Maple Dancer | Mr. Gordon Shenkin | 12 | 10-00 | 200/1 | Pulled up |
| 15th (The Chair) | Pond House (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Tom Dascombe | 9 | 10-00 | 66/1 | Pulled up |
| 17th | Joe White | Tim McCarthy | 12 | 10-00 | 150/1 | Pulled up |
| Into The Red | Dean Gallagher | 14 | 10-00 | 50/1 | Pulled up | |
| Go Universal (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Seamus Durack | 10 | 10-00 | 66/1 | Pulled up | |
| Hillwalk | Rupert Wakeley | 12 | 10-00 | 150/1 | Pulled | |
| Radical Choice (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Brian Storey | 9 | 10-00 | 66/1 | Tailed off, pulled up | |
| 19th | Yeoman Warrior | Richard Guest | 11 | 10-01 | 100/1 | Pulled up |
| 21st | Winter Belle (USA United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... ) |
Mr. Chris Bonner | 10 | 10-00 | 100/1 | Pulled up |
| 24th (Canal Turn Canal Turn The Canal Turn is a fence on Aintree Racecourse's National Course and thus is jumped during the Grand National steeplechase which is held annually at the racecourse near Liverpool, England.... ) |
Brave Highlander (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Philip Hide | 10 | 10-00 | 25/1 | Unseated rider |
| 26th | Ciel De Brion (FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... ) |
Thiery Doumen | 8 | 10-00 | 16/1 | Fell |
| Scotton Banks (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Lorcan Wyer | 10 | 10-00 | 33/1 | Unseated rider | |
| 27th | Decyborg (FRA France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... ) |
Paul Carberry Paul Carberry Paul Carberry is an Irish National Hunt jockey.- Background :He was born on 9 February 1974. He hails from a racing family. He is the son of jockey Tommy Carberry, who was a famous National Hunt jockey in the 1960s and 1970s. His uncle is Arthur Moore, one of Ireland's leading National Hunt trainers... |
7 | 10-00 | 200/1 | Tailed off, pulled up |
| Greenhil Tare Away | Simon McNeill | 10 | 10-00 | 100/1 | Unseated rider | |
| Him Of Praise (IRE Republic of Ireland Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,... ) |
Charlie Swan | 8 | 10-00 | 8/1 | Hampered, refused | |
| 29th | Rough Quest | Mick Fitzgerald Mick Fitzgerald Mick Fitzgerald is an Irish National Hunt jockey who rode mainly in Great Britain. He has ridden the winners of the Grand National, on Rough Quest in 1996, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on See More Business in 1999. He was the stable jockey for Nicky Henderson and was leading jockey at the... |
12 | 11-04 | 11/1 | Pulled up |
Stormtracker was withdrawn the day before the race as he was unsuited to the softening ground.
Avro Anson was withdrawn on the morning of the race also due to the unsuitability of the conditions.
Build-up and aftermath
After the bomb scare of 19971997 Grand National
The 1997 Grand National was the 150th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase held at Aintree near Liverpool, England...
, security was tighter at the 1998 National than at any meeting before or since while only a limited number of vehicles with a special permit were allowed inside the racecourse. Security concerns were increased when a bomb was discovered in the Irish port of Dún Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire
Dún Laoghaire or Dún Laoire , sometimes anglicised as "Dunleary" , is a suburban seaside town in County Dublin, Ireland, about twelve kilometres south of Dublin city centre. It is the county town of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County and a major port of entry from Great Britain...
a few days before the race, though police stated that there were no indications that the bomb was destined for Aintree.
The deaths of three equine competitors meant the race drew much public criticism and raised questions over the danger of the race, however it was later found that only one of the three deaths, that of Pashto at the first fence, was as a direct result of a fall at a fence. The vet reported that Do Rightly suffered a fatal heart attack on takeoff at the fourth fence while Griffins Bar suffered a broken shoulder while galloping and not while jumping a fence. The Jockey Club
Jockey Club
The Jockey Club is the largest commercial organisation in British horseracing. Although no longer responsible for the governance and regulation of the sport, it owns 14 of Britain's famous racecourses, including Aintree, Cheltenham and Newmarket, amongst other concerns such as the National Stud and...
launched an enquiry into the three deaths with questions raised as to the suitability of all three runners to compete in the National. Over the course of the years ahead the qualification standards for horses to take part were tightened.
Quotes
- Carl Llewellyn (1st): "[Graham Bradley] told me after three out it had to be one of us. And it was me. I'm a bit of a jammy git - Tom Jenks should have ridden him."
- Graham Bradley (2nd): "He gave me a great ride. His ears are like antennae - he tells me when he wants to be short and when he wants to be long."
- Richard Dunwoody (3rd): "He was one paced and made mistakes; all he did was keep plodding on."
- Andrew Thornton (4th): "[Richard Dunwoody] was a real legend. We agreed to stay together until we jumped the last, but then he did me half-a-length for third place!"
- Ken Whelan (5th): "The ground was too soft and I was pushing all the way."
- Sean Curran (6th): "He was staying on when we were hampered and I came off. But for that we might have finished fourth. I remounted to finish."
- John Kavanagh (on Pashto, who fell fatally at the first fence): "We were too tight approaching it, he hit it halfway up and turned over."
- Norman Williamson (on Celtic Abbey, who fell at the fifth): "He didn't get high enough."
- Timmy Murphy (on Court Melody, who fell at Becher's first time): "The race went very quickly for me."
- Tom Treacy (on Dun Belle, unseated at Valentine's first time): "She slipped into the fence and hit it. I went out the side."
- Tim McCarthy (on Joe White, pulled up after the 14th): "We were nearly brought down at the first when Banjo fell."
- Philip Hide (on Brave Highlander, unseated at the Canal Turn second time): "I was going well but he made an awkward jump."
- Thiery Doumen (on Ciel De Brion, who fell at the 26th): "He was getting tired and couldn't put in a big enough jump. It's been the thrill of a lifetime."
- Lorcan Wyer (on Scotton Banks, unseated at the 26th): "He went well for a long way but wasn't enjoying the ground."
- Charlie Swan (on Him Of Praise, refused at the 27th): "He got a fright at the first ditch and jumped a bit big after that. He was running lazily - he had his ears pricked for the half mile or so until we parted company."
- Mick Fitzgerald (on Rough Quest, pulled up before the 29th): "I thought when we jumped Becher's second time we were going to win. But he ran out of stamina on this ground."
Coverage
The BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
retained the rights to broadcast the entire three-day meeting live for the 39th consecutive year, with the racing on the Thursday and Friday being broadcast on BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
while the Saturday was broadcast as part of a Grandstand
Grandstand (BBC)
Grandstand was a British television sport programme. Broadcast between 1958 and 2007, it was one of the BBC's longest running sports shows, alongside BBC Sports Personality of the Year.Its first presenter was Peter Dimmock...
special on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
, presented by Des Lynam
Des Lynam
Desmond Michael "Des" Lynam, OBE is an Irish television and radio presenter based in the UK.He has hosted television coverage of high profile events for many years...
. Richard Pitman
Richard Pitman
Richard Pitman, is a retired jump jockey who rode 470 winners in his career including Lanzarote in the 1974 Champion Hurdle). He also won the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse twice, the Whitbread Gold Cup once and the Hennessy Gold Cup once....
and Peter Scudamore
Peter Scudamore
Peter Scudamore , known universally as 'Scu', is a former jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He was an eight-time Champion Jockey , riding 1,678 winners in his career...
provided in-depth analysis of all the races on the card with a detailed preview and re-run of the National itself. Future anchor presenter Clare Balding
Clare Balding
Clare Balding is a BBC sports presenter, journalist and jockey.-Early life:In 1989 and 1990, Balding was a leading amateur flat jockey and Champion Lady Rider in 1990....
interviewed the connections of the runners before the race in the parade ring. Among the several cameras used for the race was a camera set inside the cap of rider Richard Johnson. The jockey cam, as it was called, became a regular feature in years to come but in this year hopes of unique pictures of the race were dashed when Johnson fell from his mount at the first fence.
This was to be the first National of the television era where the winner would not be called home by Peter O'Sullevan
Peter O'Sullevan
Sir Peter O'Sullevan is a retired horse racing commentator for the BBC from 1947 to 1997, and correspondent for the Press Association, Daily Express and Today.-Early life:...
, as 'the voice of racing' had retired the previous year. Jim McGrath
Jim McGrath (Australian commentator)
Jim Aloysius McGrath is the BBC's senior horse racing commentator. He was previously deputy race commentator, and sometimes a paddock commentator.-Career:...
took over the anchor role with Tony O'Hehir covering the field from the fence before Becher's to Valentine's as his father Michael had done from 1967-69. John Hanmer became the senior member of the team, covering the runners over the early fences and coming back towards the racecourse for the 27th consecutive year. BBC Radio covered the race for the 67th time with Peter Bromley
Peter Bromley
Peter Bromley was BBC Radio's voice of horse racing for 40 years, and one of the most famous and recognised sports broadcasters in the United Kingdom.-Early life:...
calling the winner home.
The race was also televised live into bookmakers' outlets by Racing UK
Racing UK
Racing UK Limited was launched as a subscription channel in 2004 with 30 racecourses as shareholders. As Racing UK grew several other business units and joint ventures were developed....
using the racecourse commentary team. Graham Goode
Graham Goode
Graham Goode is a British horse racing commentator best known for his long association with ITV and Channel 4.-Commentary career:...
called the runners home while all of the national daily newspapers published full colour pullouts with racecard-style guides to the runners.