It's Grand National week!

My favourite race, and I wanted to get a bit of discussion going with a trip down memory lane. What's your three outstanding memories of the National? It could be good, it could be bad...I'll start the ball rolling...

3). 1988....and I don't remember it for the winner (Rhyme N Reason), nor for a finisher, but for the horse that should have won and given Peter Scudamore his only winner in the race....Strands of Gold. Leading coming to Beecher's second time round, travelling better than anything, and Scudamore decides to take him right down the inside rail and subsequently falls. I'll never forget him throwing his whip away in disgust!

2). 1981....and no not because Bob Champion won on Aldaniti, but for the words of two people that day. The first from Peter O'Sullevan;

"It’s Aldaniti from Spartan Missile and here comes John Thorne, 54 year old John Thorne putting in a storming finish"

And the second, moments after Aldaniti had crossed the line from my father (who had had a bob or two on the 8-1F Spartan Missile);

"If he'd had a proper bloody jockey on him, he would have won!"

1). 1977....and yes this time it is for the winner, Red Rum. Whilst I can remember snippets of commentary from the '76 National, this was the first one where I can truly remember where I was, what I was doing, and pretty much the whole race and how it panned out. It brings a tear to my eye even to this day if I watch the race on Youtube, whether from fond memories of a bygone time, or for what a great horse he was, perhaps a bit of both. It was where my love of horse racing began.

Great idea this .......im with you Paul my number 1 memory isnt a winner but a faller and coincidentally at bechers 2nd time round !! Uncle Merlin over from america with i think Brendan Powell on board him and Mr Frisk who went on to win leading and clear when he knuckled on landing and unseated ,To this day am convinced hed have won .

Second best memory is Bobbyjo i backed at 20s on the saturday morning i believe he went off favourite or near fav by the off absolutely hosed up but special because i tipped it to my future wife the day before and she had 1 of her very rare bets that day ....id like to thank Paul Carberry for aiding my cause in making her choose me lol

Third best was Just So a brilliantly slow horse that i backed at 100s ew and watched it rain all day on the friday with growing confidence .He ran a great race to finish second to Minnehoma ...so near yet so far away if pnly there was a 5 mile race hed have been a cert

mine is the worse
my mum gave me £1 to put om last suspect ... 50p ew
was in the pub with friends and thought no way this horse can win
wrong so i paid my mum money from my own pocket
stupid me

So many leaders seem to fall second time at Beecher's

He was 50-1 as well wasn't he? Must have covered at least 5 miles running round the outside the whole way

yes about 50-1
taught me a lesson

yes, listen to your mother!