Outsider Wins Grand National

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31340, 10 April 1967, Page 6

Outsider Wins Grand National

CN.Z. Press Assn.— Copyright) AINTREE. Foinavon pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the 130-year history of the Grand National Steeplechase on Saturday, to win with ease from a 44-hone field disrupted by falls, the Associated Press reported.

The pile-up came at the twenty-third fence, the one after the formidable Becher’s Brook. Three horses and jockeys tumbled and fell and several others were badly checked. The Winner was a 100-1 shot —a result that matches any upset in the history of the nee.

Honey End, the 15-2 favourite, was second, and Bed Alligator, 30-1, third. Greek Scholar came fourth at 20-1.

Foinavon, an Irish-bred nine-year-old gelding, was a long way back when the leaders fell. But he scrambled over the loose horses and the

bedraggled fence and broke 100 yards clear of the field. His opponents could not make up the gap of nearly once fence and Foinavon ran on to win by 15 lengths, with three lengths separating second and third.

The winning jockey, J. Buckingham, who steered Foinavon through the pile-up, said the other horses refused the jump or veered off after the tumble. J. Gifford, on Honey End, was unable to get his mount over the 4ft 9in fence and had to turn the second place? getter, take him back, and jump him over a clear spot. Red Alligator, which took third place, was brought down in the pile-up and had to be remounted. His young jockey, B. Fletcher, said: “It cost me 30 lengths, and but for that I think I would have won.” The riders said afterwards that it was a loose horse which had caused the chaos. Miraculously, not one iff the 44 riders was injured. Foinaovn’s trainer, J. Kempton, thought so little of his. charge’s chance that he went: to a small meeting at Worcester to saddle another of his horses, Three Dons. It won at 5/1. The owner, Mr C. Watkins, also did not trouble to travel to Aintree. He watched his dramatic win on television. Result: — GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, £26,642; 4m and 856 yards. FOINAVON C. P. T. Watkins’ br g 9yrs by Vulgan—Ecilace 10-0 J. Buckingham 1 HONEY END 10-10 J. Gifford 2 RED ALLIGATOR 10-0 R. Fletcher 3