This is probably the best finish to a National, certainly in the last 50 years. Five horses still in with a chance of winning at the elbow. Can’t think of a National that would better that!
Watch a few old nationals and the errors from POS and the others soon mount up. Fallers appearing up the front, horses falling twice, horses completely missed out and so on.
@@Cloughjordan23 Agreed, I think today's commentators are much better except for maybe Derek Thompson who still refers to horses as him & he in mares only races 😀
@@The_Capri_Kid Today they have a bank of tv screens. Remember in those days it was binoculars a mile or two away and if they were lucky a B&W screen smaller than your mobile. Often they employed a spotter alongside the commentator.
Still watching the Great Grand Nationals of the 1970s in 2023! Agree with others here - this is one of the best finishes of all. I followed Black Secret at the National for a few years here. That horse in my opinion was one of the Grand Nationals greatest horses that never actually won it. I know there's quite an elite group of horses that fall into that category. What a fantastic spectacle that race is and always has been. Also great to hear the legend Peter O'Sulivans commentary - I never tire of listening to him... RSN...
@@richardbranton7396 Hi Richard, You are probably right sir and poor Ron Barry never really got over it also a Momentous run by Black Secret a very genuine horse and should won the next year but they all let Crisp make fools of them Bar One !!..Sadly the Grand National as been diluted down to O and is now overrated in my view.All the best for now .Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands
Nah, camera angles miss loads back in these days. They are too slow switching. You find them focusing on the middle of the track missing the action from by the rail. No way was the camera work better. It might remind you of your youth but its rose tinted glasses you are using. POS on the commentary also makes loads of errors which ppl ignore when looking back. I don't know if he makes mistakes in this race but in others he certainly does. You might find the same horse falling twice in the race. Or we've been told someone has fallen only to later hear that it is closing in on the front four etc. Ppl love slating the modern day, in all areas of life, while looking back at things from when they were younger thinking they are better but they hardly are ever better. That is why things changed as we have moved forward.
@@Cloughjordan23 Hello sir, Quite agree with you but at the time we thought it was ok. Also agree about the fallers and the missing of fallers too. Today's coverage is Momentous however I lost interest in the National from 1991 when it started to be diluted down to O and is now a long distance N.H race with no excitement just don't see why jockeys get excited about winning it now ?.Also some point to point races have stiffer fences. These are my views but I respect other people's views about the race today. I remember in the late 60s n early 70s my local bookie would offer a price to get round n most were priced around 10/1 . Bar Red Rum in 74 75 76 77, think he offered 5/1.4/1.5/1.5/1. Good bookie never knew his Christian name just Mr Kenny. Fabulous racing then .Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🤝
watching all of the old designs of the Grand National and seeing to see fall of the Grand National it's hard to believe some horses have died you see the horse fall in the old Grand National and you see them get up it's hard to believe the televised from 1960's to 1980s
What a superb bit of horsemanship by Johnny Cook. Jumping the last in 5th and pecking, he threaded Specify through hitting the horse just once from the last to the line (from what I saw). Brilliant
Specify may well have won it in 1970, had he not been brought down by The Otter. Having registered how well he was going on that occasion, I backed him again in 1971. He was well known for resenting the whip. The jockey had to wait until the horse decided it qwas time tio get involved. Cook was the only one who understrood him. David Mould had once ridden him, and when he gave him a slap he simply stopped. The third in 1971, Astbury, was the most flawless jumper I've ever seen, as well as one of the most game and consistent horses around. Specify was originally intended to be called 'Specify Pontin'! But the application was rejected.
@@peterpaliwoda1527 Yeah - Go Pontinental - I think those two must have been named after the rules began to be relaxed. Fred Pontin was a bit of a charcter. My dad knew him. I remember him telling me he was having lunch with Fred one day in the Savoy, and Fred wanted cabbage with his meal. "I'm sorry, sir," said the waiter. "We don't have cabbage. But we have..." - and he reeled off a huge list of alternative green vegetables. Fred let him finish, looked at him for a second, and said, "I want CABBAGE!" The waiter replied, without turning a hair, "yes, sir". And ten minutes later in came a huge dish of steaming cabbage!
@@richardsmith5931 Hello Sir, Read your comments with great interest. Can't believe it is 50 years since Specify won. I was on Black Secret who was very genuine horse and stayed for ever. If Ron Barry had rode him ' he may of won.Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🤝
@@richardsmith5931 Cheers for your reply sir. Ast bury like Spanish Steps was very genuine and Black Secret . The 60s n 70s were Momentous years for N.H. racing. May I ask were R U from. Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🤝
I had £3 e.w. on Specify...half a week's wages. I was going potty as they hit the elbow. I cannot recall another National where there were FIVE in with a shout coming over the last. As we all know the modern race is not the same.
We used to have a bookies runner called the Duke come to our house in the Welsh valleys. My dad let me put a bet on him and I remember the Duke saying I had the Spring Double up as I backed Double Cream to win the Lincoln the previous week at 30 -1. Ha Ha 50 yrs on have not done it since.
I was nine years old and my dad asked me if I wanted him to put a small bet on a horse as it was the Grand National, and everyone watched it in those days. I picked Specify because he was number seven, my lucky number and he was my first ever winner.
Whilst I am always pleased to see horses and jockeys walk away from mishaps, it really is all about thrills and SPILLS. Always enjoy seeing a few fallers as it adds to the excitement of the race
Sandy Sprite was desperately unlucky as she broke down in the closing stages. Maybe would have won without that as you can see she faltered after the elbow.
Indeed. Ron Barry stopped riding her in the last few hundred yards so she was pipped from 4th place, which didn't please me as I had her e/w at 33-1, my first proper bet on the race. She never ran again.
@@radlettblue Hi, I had Black Secret and with someone like John Francome may have won .Can't believe it is 50 years since Specify won . 1973 I had Crisp ' say no more sir. Late 60s n 70s and early 80s Momentous Grand Nationals ' I do not watch the race these days it as been diluted down to O and might as well become a Flat race.Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🕊🕊🕊
@@glynnevans1851 Same here. Used to be a tremendously exciting challenge & test of jumping; now, virtually an over-long handicap hurdle which I rarely even watch, let alone have a bet.
@@radlettblue Hi .We are on same wave length.My favourite horses then were Crisp Pendil and the ill fated Killiney n not for getting Spanish Steps. May I ask were R U from sir. Kind regards Glynn
@@shaunspadah5790 hello sir ,Apart from Peter O'Sullivan and Julian Wilson second to none, next best Michael Seth Smith he was very precise and clear cut by the way thought Black Secret was very unlucky not to win this National, Should of had Stan Mellor aboard n would of just got up ?.?...Glynn n Greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands
@@glynnevans1851 hi must admit o sullivan was easily the greatest commentator, used to like wilsons bechers commentaries brought excitement to the race, his commentaries in 73 and 77 are legendary, why they replaced him with jim mcgragh i will never know, your forgettin michael o hare as a commentator, another legend, looks like black secrets amateur jockey couldnt ride a finish, a p wud probably have passed the post first
@@shaunspadah5790 hello sir many thanks for your reply ,I had temporarily forgot legend Michael o heir.RIP he was Fab ..You mentioned Jim McGrath replacing J.W..not quite true I think' Julian resigned from the BBC in 1994 because of the changes to the format of the racing scedules and diminishing coverage plus he did not like working with Claire Balding..A great loss my friend and a tremendous personality on BBC horse racing like wise was Clive Graham he and Peter O were very close friends all 3 sadly RIP..The new Sport management then Just ruined what was Iconic, On ITV I liked John Rickman who ust to drop his Trilby hat n Lord Oaksey and Brough Scott but never took to Ken Butler..in the 70s do u remember a very nice horse called Credit Call who won the Liverpool foxhunters chase more than once ridden by Chris Collins was a very accomplished rider. Fab performances..Also out of Lanzarote n Comedy of errors who do think was best .I was a Fred winter fan n my late dad Fred Rimell fan plus Ken Oliver..All the best for now sir.
Was John Sutcliffe the trainer of the winner here the same one who was Lester Piggotts best man on his wedding day? Poor Sandy Sprite was unlucky to tire so close to home and finish out of the money.
What a race. At the elbow it was pick your winner. Absolutely brilliant.
This is probably the best finish to a National, certainly in the last 50 years. Five horses still in with a chance of winning at the elbow. Can’t think of a National that would better that!
Yes, the closest denouement. Previously it had been in 1852 (1L, 1 1/2 L, 3/4L but the 5th was a bit back).
For pure thrills over the last 2 fences this was one of the greatest Nationals.
Wonderful race, wonderful finish, simply splendid.
The commentary so professional by all 3 wise men
As if it’s live now.
R.i.p. sadly missed.
Watch a few old nationals and the errors from POS and the others soon mount up. Fallers appearing up the front, horses falling twice, horses completely missed out and so on.
@@Cloughjordan23 Agreed, I think today's commentators are much better except for maybe Derek Thompson who still refers to horses as him & he in mares only races 😀
@@The_Capri_Kid Today they have a bank of tv screens. Remember in those days it was binoculars a mile or two away and if they were lucky a B&W screen smaller than your mobile. Often they employed a spotter alongside the commentator.
Still watching the Great Grand Nationals of the 1970s in 2023!
Agree with others here - this is one of the best finishes of all.
I followed Black Secret at the National for a few years here.
That horse in my opinion was one of the Grand Nationals greatest horses that never actually won it.
I know there's quite an elite group of horses that fall into that category.
What a fantastic spectacle that race is and always has been.
Also great to hear the legend Peter O'Sulivans commentary - I never tire of listening to him...
RSN...
...Floesuebarb was named after the owners three daughters.....Florence, Susan and Barbara...
Specify did so well to make up that ground with only 2 or 3 to jump. Magic of the National
I backed specify in this race what a finish that was,fantastic commentary as well.
A masterful ride by Johnny Cook to coax home Specify.
Beautiful ride by John Cook.
Probably the only national where the winner jumped the last in 5th place !
..... and the horse that jumped the last in the lead finished in 5th place !
Sandy Sprite broke down or would have won I think
probably caused by sandy sprite breakin down black secrets poor jockey and astbury gettin hampered at the 2nd last
@@richardbranton7396 Hi Richard, You are probably right sir and poor Ron Barry never really got over it also a Momentous run by Black Secret a very genuine horse and should won the next year but they all let Crisp make fools of them Bar One !!..Sadly the Grand National as been diluted down to O and is now overrated in my view.All the best for now .Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands
@@glynnevans1851 well to do won the next year not rummy
The late great Peter O'Sullivan my childhood being revisited here I was 11 in 1971.
Not only proper fences but proper camera angles as well.
Nah, camera angles miss loads back in these days. They are too slow switching. You find them focusing on the middle of the track missing the action from by the rail. No way was the camera work better. It might remind you of your youth but its rose tinted glasses you are using. POS on the commentary also makes loads of errors which ppl ignore when looking back. I don't know if he makes mistakes in this race but in others he certainly does. You might find the same horse falling twice in the race. Or we've been told someone has fallen only to later hear that it is closing in on the front four etc. Ppl love slating the modern day, in all areas of life, while looking back at things from when they were younger thinking they are better but they hardly are ever better. That is why things changed as we have moved forward.
@@Cloughjordan23 Hello sir, Quite agree with you but at the time we thought it was ok. Also agree about the fallers and the missing of fallers too. Today's coverage is Momentous however I lost interest in the National from 1991 when it started to be diluted down to O and is now a long distance N.H race with no excitement just don't see why jockeys get excited about winning it now ?.Also some point to point races have stiffer fences. These are my views but I respect other people's views about the race today. I remember in the late 60s n early 70s my local bookie would offer a price to get round n most were priced around 10/1 . Bar Red Rum in 74 75 76 77, think he offered 5/1.4/1.5/1.5/1. Good bookie never knew his Christian name just Mr Kenny. Fabulous racing then .Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🤝
I think the commentary teams did exceptionally well considering the equipment of the time.
watching all of the old designs of the Grand National and seeing to see fall of the Grand National it's hard to believe some horses have died you see the horse fall in the old Grand National and you see them get up it's hard to believe the televised from 1960's to 1980s
Best finish of a national ever was anyone's at the elbow fantastic finish
What a superb bit of horsemanship by Johnny Cook. Jumping the last in 5th and pecking, he threaded Specify through hitting the horse just once from the last to the line (from what I saw). Brilliant
Specify may well have won it in 1970, had he not been brought down by The Otter. Having registered how well he was going on that occasion, I backed him again in 1971. He was well known for resenting the whip. The jockey had to wait until the horse decided it qwas time tio get involved. Cook was the only one who understrood him. David Mould had once ridden him, and when he gave him a slap he simply stopped. The third in 1971, Astbury, was the most flawless jumper I've ever seen, as well as one of the most game and consistent horses around. Specify was originally intended to be called 'Specify Pontin'! But the application was rejected.
@@peterpaliwoda1527 Yeah - Go Pontinental - I think those two must have been named after the rules began to be relaxed. Fred Pontin was a bit of a charcter. My dad knew him. I remember him telling me he was having lunch with Fred one day in the Savoy, and Fred wanted cabbage with his meal. "I'm sorry, sir," said the waiter. "We don't have cabbage. But we have..." - and he reeled off a huge list of alternative green vegetables. Fred let him finish, looked at him for a second, and said, "I want CABBAGE!" The waiter replied, without turning a hair, "yes, sir". And ten minutes later in came a huge dish of steaming cabbage!
@@richardsmith5931 Hello Sir, Read your comments with great interest. Can't believe it is 50 years since Specify won. I was on Black Secret who was very genuine horse and stayed for ever. If Ron Barry had rode him ' he may of won.Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🤝
@@glynnevans1851 Hi Glynn - I hadn't twigged - yes 50 years! There was giants in them days.....
@@richardsmith5931 Cheers for your reply sir. Ast bury like Spanish Steps was very genuine and Black Secret . The 60s n 70s were Momentous years for N.H. racing. May I ask were R U from. Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🤝
@@glynnevans1851 Aldershot now. London most of my life. But would rather be in Cheltenham!
I had £3 e.w. on Specify...half a week's wages. I was going potty as they hit the elbow. I cannot recall another National where there were FIVE in with a shout coming over the last. As we all know the modern race is not the same.
We used to have a bookies runner called the Duke come to our house in the Welsh valleys. My dad let me put a bet on him and I remember the Duke saying I had the Spring Double up as I backed Double Cream to win the Lincoln the previous week at 30 -1. Ha Ha 50 yrs on have not done it since.
I was nine years old and my dad asked me if I wanted him to put a small bet on a horse as it was the Grand National, and everyone watched it in those days. I picked Specify because he was number seven, my lucky number and he was my first ever winner.
Awesome
I backed Two Springs he hit a fence hard after the Canal turn and he had a lot of ground to make up after that. Roy Edwards up.
my money was on common entrance, hes just jumping the last fence right now
Lol
When the Grand National was a truly gritty jumping test. Maybe they should rename Bechers Brook as fence no 6. It isn't the Bechers of old
yep....thats what I've been saying for a while.....its just a plain fence these days.....
maybe they should rename the fence the tinker fence, theyve made that many changes to it
....and the field now approach this plain sixth fence...
Whilst I am always pleased to see horses and jockeys walk away from mishaps, it really is all about thrills and SPILLS. Always enjoy seeing a few fallers as it adds to the excitement of the race
Levi's Jean
beau Bob was going well my dad backed specify
Do you have the 1992 race in full by any chance?love the old grand nationals
Sandy Sprite was desperately unlucky as she broke down in the closing stages. Maybe would have won without that as you can see she faltered after the elbow.
Indeed. Ron Barry stopped riding her in the last few hundred yards so she was pipped from 4th place, which didn't please me as I had her e/w at 33-1, my first proper bet on the race. She never ran again.
@@radlettblue Hi, I had Black Secret and with someone like John Francome may have won .Can't believe it is 50 years since Specify won . 1973 I had Crisp ' say no more sir. Late 60s n 70s and early 80s Momentous Grand Nationals ' I do not watch the race these days it as been diluted down to O and might as well become a Flat race.Kind regards Glynn n greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands UK 🕊🕊🕊
@@glynnevans1851 Same here. Used to be a tremendously exciting challenge & test of jumping; now, virtually an over-long handicap hurdle which I rarely even watch, let alone have a bet.
@@radlettblue Hi .We are on same wave length.My favourite horses then were Crisp Pendil and the ill fated Killiney n not for getting Spanish Steps. May I ask were R U from sir. Kind regards Glynn
Does anyone have any races on the mildmay course before 1975? From 75 onwards they were the conventional birch fences
They once tried to rename the winner Specify Pontin but it was rejected
Raleigh Gilbert on 1st sector. Moved to ITV soon after
didnt like his commentary at all too plain, replaced by hanmer and his helium voice
@@shaunspadah5790 hello sir ,Apart from Peter O'Sullivan and Julian Wilson second to none, next best Michael Seth Smith he was very precise and clear cut by the way thought Black Secret was very unlucky not to win this National, Should of had Stan Mellor aboard n would of just got up ?.?...Glynn n Greetings from Stourbridge West Midlands
@@glynnevans1851 hi must admit o sullivan was easily the greatest commentator, used to like wilsons bechers commentaries brought excitement to the race, his commentaries in 73 and 77 are legendary, why they replaced him with jim mcgragh i will never know, your forgettin michael o hare as a commentator, another legend, looks like black secrets amateur jockey couldnt ride a finish, a p wud probably have passed the post first
@@shaunspadah5790 hello sir many thanks for your reply ,I had temporarily forgot legend Michael o heir.RIP he was Fab ..You mentioned Jim McGrath replacing J.W..not quite true I think' Julian resigned from the BBC in 1994 because of the changes to the format of the racing scedules and diminishing coverage plus he did not like working with Claire Balding..A great loss my friend and a tremendous personality on BBC horse racing like wise was Clive Graham he and Peter O were very close friends all 3 sadly RIP..The new Sport management then Just ruined what was Iconic, On ITV I liked John Rickman who ust to drop his Trilby hat n Lord Oaksey and Brough Scott but never took to Ken Butler..in the 70s do u remember a very nice horse called Credit Call who won the Liverpool foxhunters chase more than once ridden by Chris Collins was a very accomplished rider. Fab performances..Also out of Lanzarote n Comedy of errors who do think was best .I was a Fred winter fan n my late dad Fred Rimell fan plus Ken Oliver..All the best for now sir.
Also died in mysterious circumstances
Raleigh Gilbert a top commentator ,Ron Barry some jockey
Raleighs only BBC TV Grand National commentary.
John Hanmer took over the next year and remained until 2003.
limeburner ran a barnstormer
Back when the National was a real race.Now it's just a glorified long distance chase
Was John Sutcliffe the trainer of the winner here the same one who was Lester Piggotts best man on his wedding day? Poor Sandy Sprite was unlucky to tire so close to home and finish out of the money.
U
It said the winning distance was 2½Lengths looked like ½ or ¾l to me.
Gay Trip, like Aldaniti in 1982, falling at the first the year after winning the National.
several winners have fallen at the first the following year hallo dandy, russian hero,early mist in 54 i think
shaun spadah Interesting stuff, thank you. I'd forgotten about Hello Dandy although I would have watched the 1985 National.
....Ayala fell at fence 1 having won the National but that was in '65 having won in '63...
@@shaunspadah5790 you won this race the year my dad was born...1921 lol.