1978 Grand National
Grand National
LocationAintree
Date1 April 1978
Winning horseLucius
Starting price14/1
JockeyBob Davies
TrainerEngland Gordon W. Richards
OwnerFiona Whitaker
ConditionsGood
← 1977
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External videos
video icon The 1978 Grand National in full BBC
video icon The 1978 Grand National British Movietone

There coming to the elbow now with just over a furlong to run, and it's Lucius and Bob Davies now just taking a fresh advantage, The Pilgarlic running fast on the far side but it's Lucius from Sebastian as they race into the closing stages, Lucius from Sebastian with Drumroan putting in a tremendous finish, but at the line, Lucius wins the National!

Commentator Peter O'Sullevan describes the climax of the 1978 National

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

Position Name Jockey Age Handicap (st-lb) SP Distance
01 Lucius Bob Davies 9 10-9 14/1
02 Sebastian V Ridley Lamb 10 10-1 25/1
03 Drumroan Gerry Newman 10 10-0 50/1
04 Coolishall Martin O'Halloran 9 10-0 16/1
05 The Pilgarlic Richard Evans 10 10-1 33/1
06 Mickley Seabright Peter Brookshaw 10 10-3 33/1
07 Lord Browndodd John Francome 10 10-7 16/1
08 The Songwriter Bryan Smart 9 10-0 50/1
09 Roman Bar Pat Kiely 9 10-8 33/1
10 Brown Admiral John Burke 9 10-0 33/1
11 Golden Whin Steve Holland 8 10-4 50/1
12 Tamalin Graham Thorner 11 11-2 25/1
13 Lean Forward James Evans 12 10-0 33/1
14 Nereo Mark Floyd 12 10-0 66/1
15 Never Rock Kevin Mooney 9 10-0 50/1
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (April 2012)

Non-finishers

[1]

Fence Name Jockey Age Handicap (st-lb) Starting price Fate
01 Cornish Princess Richard Hoare 10 10-1 66/1 Fell
01 Otter Way Jeff King 10 10-10 16/1 Fell
01 Teddy Bear II Philip Blacker 11 10-4 50/1 Fell
02 Hidden Value Tommy Stack 10 10-0 25/1 Fell
03 War Bonnet Dessie Hughes 10 10-8 50/1 Fell
04 Sadale VI Clive Candy 11 10-1 66/1 Fell
06 Gleaming Rain Sean Treacy 10 10-0 25/1 Fell
06 Henry Hall Frank Berry 9 10-0 66/1 Fell
06 Tied Cottage Tommy Carberry 10 11-4 9/1 Fell
08 Irish Tony Dennis Atkins 10 10-0 33/1 Fell
08 Master H Reg Crank 9 11-2 10/1 Saddle slipped
10 Double Negative Colin Tinkler 8 10-0 33/1 Fell
10 Shifting Gold Bob Champion 9 11-6 16/1 Fell
10 So Niall Madden 9 10-4 14/1 Fell
11 Burrator John Suthern 9 10-0 66/1 Fell
11 Master Upham Paul Barton 10 10-0 25/1 Fell
11 Silkstone Glenn Graham 10 10-0 66/1 Fell
13 Double Bridal Bill Smith 7 10-1 50/1 Fell
15 Churchtown Boy Martin Blackshaw 11 10-0 14/1 Fell
19 April Seventh Andy Turnell 12 10-11 20/1 Refused
21 Rag Trade Jonjo O'Neill 12 11-3 8/1 F Pulled Up
22 Harban Joe Byrne 9 10-0 66/1 Unseated 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]

References

  1. ^ "Grand National Anorak |". freewebs.com. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  2. ^ "1978 & 1979 – The Grand National & Aintree 1970-79". Seventiesnationals.webs.com. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  3. ^ Peters, Stewart; Parkin, Bernard. The Grand National : the history of the Aintree spectacular. ISBN 0-7524-3547-7.


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