1946 - Lovely Cottage
The winner
Lovely Cottage was lightly raced after his Aintree triumph. He was a last minute withdrawal from the 1947 race due to injury and in 1948 he fell on the first circuit but was remounted to complete the course in his own time. He raced once more at Cheltenham a month later.
Leading Fancies
Aintree racecourse had been used as a truck depot during the second world war and also housed up to sixteen thousand troops. For six long years there was no racing and worse no Grand National. The last troops had finally left in February and the racecourse was returned to Mrs Topham. That she managed to get the racecourse ready for the first weekend in April was nothing short of a miracle and in my view this was her greatest achievement. The racing starved crowds flocked to Aintree in their thousands. Some say that more than three hundred thousand packed themselves into Aintree that spring Friday. Thirty six runners lined up with all eyes on the legendary Irish chaser PRINCE REGENT. With jumps racing in England suspended during the war the "Prince" had been a dominating force in his native Ireland winning the 1942 Irish Grand National and had then finished second in the next two runnings under oppressive top weights. This season he had finally won a major steeplechase in the UK by lifting the Cheltenham Gold Cup. A worthy favourite he would be burdened with an almost impossible weight of twelve stone five. Other fancied runners included LIMESTONE EDWARD, a twelve year old in scintillating form with five wins wins at Catterick, Wetherby (twice) and Southwell (twice). Irish raider DUNSHAUGHLIN had won three times including the valuable National Hunt handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. SCHUBERT had finished fifth in that race and earlier won a three runner race at Cheltenham at ludicrous odds of 10-1 ON. KNIGHTS CREST had beaten Prince Regent in the 1944 Irish Grand National (albeit with a huge weight advantage). Now trained in the north of England he had had a relatively light campaign since moving at the beginning of the year with a win to show his well being at Wetherby on his last start. This year we had not just one, but two Gold Cup winners with the 1945 hero RED ROWER also in the field. After winning at Windsor he had by-passed the Gold Cup for the National Hunt Handicap Chase but ran disappointingly.
GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE, 4 1/2 miles (91 entries), £8,805 to the winner
1 -131 PRINCE REGENT 11, 12-5 - (IRE) T.Hyde
2 -F SYMBOLE a, 11-11 (V.Smyth) W.Redmond
3 -2210 RED ROWER 12, 11-7 (Lord Stalbridge) G.Kelly
4 -1F0 SCHUBERT 12, 11-0 (Beechener) C.Beechener
5 -2FIF LARGO 7, 10-13 (Storie) J.Cooke*
6 -0 HEIRDOM 14, 10-10 (IRE) P.Cahalin
7 -0 BOGSKAR 13, 10-9 (Lord Stalbridge) R.Matthews
8 - KAMI 9, 10-9 (W.Payne) H.Bonneau
9 -433 MACMOFFAT 14, 10-8 (Scott Brigg) I.Alder
11 -F20103 LOVELY COTTAGE 9, 10-8* (T.Rayson) Capt R.Petre
12 -1311 ASTROMETER 8, 10-3 (IRE) M.Gordon
13 -003041 KNIGHT`S CREST 9, 10-3 (Murless) P.Murphy
14 112001 SUZERAIN II 8, 10-3 (W.Payne) G.Archibald
16 -1123 HOUSEWARMER 9, 10-2 (IRE) A.Brabazon
17 -111011 LIMESTONE EDWARD 12, 10-2 (Nicholson) D.Doyle
18 -121F0 EP 11, 10-2 (Larkin) M.Molony
19 -22F0 JACK FINLAY 7, 10-2 (Elwell) W.Kidney
20 -1210 VAIN KNIGHT 13, 10-2 (Wight) R.Curran
21 -1211 NEWARK HILL 12, 10-1 (Kilpatrick) P.Lay
22 -1112 SILVER FAME 7, 10-0 (Beeby) D.Ruttle
23 -0F34 HISTORICAL REVUE 8, 10-0 (IRE) S.Ryan
24 -13231 TULYRA 10, 10-0 (Powell) Mr D. A Jackson
25 310011 DUNSHAUGHLIN 8, 10-0 (IRE) R J O`Ryan
26 -32F2F DOUBLE FLUSH 10, 10-0 (Newton) E.Newman
28 -P030 YUNG-YAT 10, 10-0 (IRE) T.Cullen Jnr
29 -2213 KING GESSON 10, 10-0 (Kilpatrick) R.Burford
30 10F212 LOUGH CONN 10, 10-0 (IRE) D.McCann
31 -3U214 JOCK 8, 10-2* (G.Wilson) F.Gurney
32 -FF344 MUSICAL LAD 9, 10-0 (Newton) M.Browne
33 -11 BRICETT 9, 10-2* (W.Hall) J.Brogan
34 12F412 GYPPO 12, 10-0 (R.Renton) Mr J.Cousins
38 02FP01 ALACRITY 13, 10-0 (C.Birch) G.Bowden
39 310032 CLOSURE 9, 10-0 (J D Norris) Mr H.Applin
40 030FFF ELSICH 10, 10-0 (Edwards) W.Balfe
ALSO DECLARED IN RACECARD but did not line up : 10 ROMAN HACKLE (D L Moore), 15 KEEP FAITH (-), 27 HOME LOVER (D.Buchers), 35 COLONEL BLIMP (-), 36 BLACK HAWK (Mr P Turner), 37 TROYMINT (M J Prendergast)
* W.Halford down to ride Largo in the racecard
S.P : 3-1 Prince Regent, 13-2 Limestone Edward, 100-7 Schubert, 100-8 Dunshaughlin, 22-1 Knights Crest & Red Rower, 25-1 LOVELY COTTAGE, 28-1 Bricett, 33-1 Kami, Lough Conn, Suzerain II & Symbole, 40-1 Gyppo & Silver Fame, 50-1 Astrometer, EP, Jock, Macmoffat & Newark Hill, 66-1 Bogskar, Heirdom, Historical Revue & Largo, 100-1 Alacrity, Clsoure, Double Flush, Elsich, Housewarmer, Jack Finlay, King Gesson, Musical Lad, Tulyra, Vain Knight & Yung-Yat
Aintree debutants/Winner at Aintree
It was perhaps not surprising bearing in mind the National was the first jumping action seen at Aintree for six long years that the majority of the field were making their debut over the National fences. However the first two from the 1940 National, BOGSKAR and MACMOFFAT lined up but at thirteen and fourteen respectively their chances seemed remote.
Result
1st LOVELY COTTAGE - Capt R.Petre
2nd JACK FINLAY - W.Kidney
3rd PRINCE REGENT- T.Hyde
4th HOUSEWARMER - A.Brabazon
5th SCHUBERT - C.Beechener
6th LIMESTONE EDWARD - D.Doyle
Time : 9 mins 38 1/5 secs Distances : 4-3-8-1 1/2
Owned by John Morant Trained by Tommy Rayson at Headbourne Worthy, Hampshire
ELSICH
ELSICH boasted possibly the worst record of any National runner before or since. He was so bad he once fell in two separate races on the same card at Cheltenham. He had only managed to qualify for the National by finishing third in a three mile chase at Worcester (the placing flatters him - he was four fences behind the second !). He had only ever completed the course three times in his career (one time he was remounted) yet bizarrely he had run in two Gold Cups !!!! His form figures read FFProF-FU030FFF. Bill Balfe was the brave man on board in what was to be his only National ride. How did they get on in the National ? They fell at the first.
1947 - Caughoo
The Leading Fancies
The National was run for the first time on a Saturday at the request of the Prime Minister Clement Attlee, who suggested to Mrs Topham that the new date would be "in the interests of British industry" (not sure how - but who was arguing with the Prime Minister). The country had been gripped by the worst winter in living memory which resulted in the loss of all fixtures between 23rd January and 15th March. With the Cheltenham Festival also falling foul of the weather an abundance of runners were sent to Aintree in the hope of picking up some much needed prize money. A staggering ninety two runners contested the four hurdle races at the meeting and the National saw no less than fifty seven line up a number which not surprisingly was never surpassed thereafter. Favourite for the second year running was PRINCE REGENT, so brave in defeat twelve months before. This year he was once again carrying a prohibitive top weight of twelve stone seven (two pounds more than last year). He had been lightly campaigned with victory at Leopardstown followed by a facile win in the Champion Chase (run this year at the Autumn meeting) when both his rivals fell by the wayside. REVELRY was next best in the market, unbeaten in two starts in 1945-46 he had won at Naas but had been beaten in the Leopardstown Chase. Other fancied runners in the huge field were BRICETT, unbeaten in all completed starts a horse who stayed and who had a reputation as a very impressive jumper, LUAN CASCA had winning form over the National fences having landed the Stanley Chase in 1946, HOUSEWARMER was another course specialist having landed the Molyneux Chase. He was having his first start for new connections. DOMINO was also quietly fancied although he had not won this term and had been some way behind Luan Casca in the Stanley Chase.
The winner
Caughoo returned to relative obscurity thereafter although he did run in the next two Nationals. He pulled up at the second Canal in 1948 and in 1949 he ran out early.
That's the official story but this from Mick Mutlow is much more interesting. I hope Mick does not mind quoting him direct
"In the 1948-49 season, which turned out to be his last, he had six starts. CAUGHOO finished second twice, seventh once, pulled up twice and ran out once, which was at the fifth fence in the 1949 Grand National when his bridal broke. He spent his retirement at the Sutton (north of Dublin) home of John McDowell and he was buried there when he died in 1964 aged 25 years old. His head was sent to a taxidermist to be mounted. However when the land was developed for building purposes, his remains was exhumed and he was reburied on the farm opposite Fairyhouse racecourse.
When Jack McDowell died, the head ended up once more with the taxidermist. He later emigrated to the USA and offered the head to the Drogheda mayor (Frank Godfrey) who had an interest in mounted animals. CAUGHOO's head cost Frank Godfrey £50 and he was later offered £500 for the head in 1987 when he brought it to Aintree in 1987 for the 40th anniversary of his victory.
For whatever reason, his head remained at Aintree for a few years afterwards. When I went up to Aintree in 1989, I was invited into John Parrett's office for a chat. Whilst talking to JP, he bent down to the side of his desk and pulled out CAUGOO's head to proudly show me...…….as you do" .
GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE 4 1/2 miles (82 entries), £10,007 to the winner
1 1313-11 PRINCE REGENT 12, 12-7 (T W Dreaper - IRE) T.Hyde
3 121-213 HALYCON HOURS 7, 11-2 (M.Arnott - IRE) M.Gordon
4 11F1-11 BRICETT 10, 11-1 (W.Hall) M C Prendergast
5 1-13111 REARMAMENT 10, 11-1 (Beeby) G.Kelly
6 211310 KILNAGLORY 12, 11-1 (F T Walwyn) B.Marshall
7 000 REFUGIO 9, 11-0 (Sweet-Escott) F.Adams
8 /F-1 KAMI 10, 10-13 (Masson) Mr J.Hislop
9 11-3210 REVELRY 7, 10-12 (R O`Connell - IRE) D.Moore
11 F-11F11 SILVER FAME 8, 10-12 (Beeby) R.Petre
12 244130 SCHUBERT 13, 10-11 (Beechener) C.Beechener
13 332F21 LEAP MAN 10, 11-0 (Houghton) T F Rimell
14232-221 GORMANSTOWN 7, 10-9 (C.Nicholson) T.Molony
15 P3000P JACK FINLAY 8, 10-8 (Elwell) W.Kidney
16 1041-13 LUAN CASCA 7, 10-7 (H.Smyth) A,Brabazon
17 1311-F4 BRIGHTER SANDY 9, 10-7 (W.Hall) Capt J Eustace-Smith
18 1234-10 HOUSEWARMER 10, 10-6 (F T Walwyn) R J O`Ryan
19 F322-00 KLAXTON 7, 10-5 (J.Anthony) J.Maguire
20 F-1B323 EP 12, 10-5 (Beeby) M.Molony
21 -134112 MUSICAL LAD 10, 10-4 (Moore) M J Prendergast
22 11-4212 BULLINGTON 11, 10-6 (G R Owen) J.Bissill
23 /0F- BOGSKAR 14, 10-4 (Lord Stalbridge) R.Burford
24 212F0-0 LOUGH CONN 11, 10-1 (Boland - IRE) D.McCann
25 /01-P0 FIRST OF THE DANDIES 10, 10-3 (G.Wilson) J.Moloney
26 33F-P02 MACMOFFAT 15, 10-4 (Scott Biggs) I.Alder
28 F0-3143 ROWLAND ROY 8, 10-3 (F T Walwyn) Mr R.Black
29 /3121 SHEILAS COTTAGE 8, 10-1 (N.Crump) A P Thompson
30 212413 YUNG-YAT 11, 10-1 (IRE) J.Brogan
31 4-02302 BOMBER COMMAND 8, 10-0 (Feakes) A.Jarvis
32 /232 PARTHENON 8, 10-0 (R.Hobbs) P.Murray
33 1-00000 CAUGHOO 8, 10-0 (H.McDowell - IRE) E.Dempsey
34 1F10F1 GRANITZA 8, 10-0 (M.Scott) N.Dixon
35 4-00122 OCCULTOR 12, 11-0 (G R Owen) B.Marshall
36 /233 SODA II 6, 10-2 (Goldsmith) F.Gurney
37 2-01102 BRICK BAT 8, 10-0 (T W Dreaper - IRE) E.Newman
38 F-14232 TULYRA 11, 10-0 (Powell) Mr D A Jackson
40 /0 GRECIAN VICTORY 10, 10-0 (F T Walwyn) P.Lay
41 00-2213 SOME CHICKEN 10, 10-2 (Roberts) R.Turnell
42 3F0-022 DOMINO 7, 10-0 (F.Hartigan) D.Morgan
43 4131-33 PRATTLER 12, 10-0 (T H Yates) P.Conlon
44 -F11211 BLACK JENNIFER 7, 10-0 (Hardy) J.Sheehan
45 /0F13 MARTIN M 7, 10-0 (Kilpatrick) Maj Skrine
46 102-122 CLYDUFFE 12, 10-0 (Wight) M.Hogan
48 3F1-0F1 DOUBLE SAM 12, 10-0 (S.Clark) H.Haley
49 /03010 WICKLOW WOLF 7, 10-0 (Kithching) M J Hogan
50 3-03224 GYPPO 13, 10-0 (Cousins) Mr J.Cousins
51 F0-240P GOOD DATE 9, 10-0 (Powell) J.Dowdeswell
52 2120-00 JUBILEE FLIGHT 12, 10-0 (Bampton) E.Hannigan
53 0FP43P BORDER BOB 9, 10-0 (G R Owen) J.Neely
54 FF42-13 TRIBUNE 13, 10-0 (Masson) K.Gilsenan
55 1-0F000 OH JOE ! 7, 10-0 (Geering) E.Vinall
56 /0-1330 SHANAKILL 9, 10-0 (Smallwood) W.Denson
57 2-01033 LINTHILL 11, 10-0 (Lyde) P.Taylor
58 3000F0 HANDY LAD 12, 10-0 (IRE) Capt W.Williams
59 121FFF DAY DREAMS 8, 10-0 (Moore) M.Browne
60 -20F000 TOYETTE 10, 10-6 (G R Owen) Maj R Waugh Harris
61 /P322 PATRICKSWELL 9, 10-0 (IRE) P.Cahalin
62 3F0FF0 MICHAEL`S PEARL 8, 10-0 (C.Kelly) E.Reavey
Non Runners : 2 LOVELY COTTAGE (R.Petre), 10 KEEP FAITH (-), 27 HIGHLAND CHEIFTAN (A.Grantham), 39 WISH ME LUCK (-)
S.P : 8-1 Prince Regent, 100-6 Revelry, 22-1 Bricett & Luan Casca, 25-1 Housewarmer, 28-1 Domino, 33-1 Jack Finlay, Kami, Lough Conn, Musical Lad, Rearmament & Silver Fame, 40-1 Gormanstown, Kilnaglory, Parthenon, Sheilas Cottage & Some Chicken, 50-1 Black Jennifer, Clyduffe, Halcyon Hours, Leap Man, Prattler & Soda II, 66-1 Brick Bat, Brighter Sandy, Bullington, First of the Dandies, Klaxton, Martin M, Rowland Roy & Schubert, 100-1 Bogskar, Bomber Command, Border Bob, CAUGHOO, Day Dreams, Double Sam, EP, Good Date, Granitza, Grecian Victory, Gyppo, Handy Lad, Jubilee Flight, Linthill, MacMoffat, MIchaels Pearl, Ocultor, Oh Joe, Patrickswell, Refugio, Shanakill, Toyette, Tribune, Tulyra, Wicklow Wolf & Yung-Yat
Aintree Debutants (32)
* denotes that this National was their only race over the National fences.
Black Jennifer*, Bomber Command, Border Bob*, Brighter Sandy, Bullington*, Caughoo, Cloncarrig, Day Dreams*, Double Sam*, First of the Dandies, Good Date, Granitza*, Grecian Victory, Halycon Hours, Handy Lad, Kilnaglory, Klaxton, Leap Man, Ocultor*, Parthenon, Prattler*, Rearmament, Refugio*, Revelry, Rowland Roy, Shanakill*, Sheila`s Cottage, Soda II, Some Chicken, Toyette*, Tribune*, Wicklow Wolf*
Winners at Aintree (5)
Bogskar - Grand National (1940)
Housewarmer - Molyneux Chase (1946)
Luan Casca - Stanley Chase (1946)
Martin M - Valentine Chase (1946)
Prince Regent - Champion Chase (1946)
Result
Unlike every other year since the war the list of finishers in 1947 cannot be verified beyond doubt. The list below is according to Reg Greens definitive Grand National history "A Long Time Gone" first published in 1988. However after Kilnaglory there are several different orders to be found in the various sources with some stating that there were only 18 finishers. I have also listed the finishing order according to Sporting Chronicle/Racing Up to Date and added this in brackets.
1st CAUGHOO - Eddie Dempsey
2nd LOUGH CONN - D.McCann
3rd KAMI - Mr John Hislop
4th PRINCE REGENT - Tim Hyde
5th SOME CHICKEN - Bob Turnell
6th HOUSEWARMER - R J O`Ryan
7th REFUGIO - F.Adams
8th KILNAGLORY - Bryan Marshall
9th OCULTOR (rem) (10) - D.Owen
10th HALCYON HOURS (rem) (12) -M.Gordon
11th BRICK BAT (13) - E.Newman
12th MARTIN M (rem) (did not finish) - Maj W H Skrine
13th SCHUBERT (14) - C.Beechener
14th REARMAMENT (17) - Gene Kelly
15th ROWLAND ROY (rem) (18) - Mr R.Black
16th TOYETTE (11) - Maj R Waugh-Harris
17th CLYDUFFE (9) - M.Hogan
18th LEAP MAN (15) - T F Rimell
19th BRIGHTER SANDY (16) - Capt J Eustace- Smith
20th HANDY LAD (19) - Capt W.Williams
21st JUBILEE FLIGHT (did not finish) E.Hannigan
Time : 10 minutes 3 4/5 secs Distances : 20-4-6-2-15 Owned by J J McDowell Trained by Herbert McDowell in Ireland.
1948 - Sheilas Cottage
The winner
A notoriously bad tempered mare, SHEILAS COTTAGE repaid her jockey by biting off the top of one of his fingers as he went to congratulate her that evening. She was immediately retired to stud where she produced six foals. Eventually she was gifted to her jockey Thompson who showed that he held no hard feelings as she spent her twilight years with him and when she died she was buried in his garden in Wexford.
Leading Fancies
The form horse of the race was SILVER FAME who was unbeaten in five starts this season with wins at Sandown, Manchester, Stratford and two at Cheltenham including a win at the Cheltenham Festival. This was to be his third attempt at the National having been unlucky not to complete in his two previous attempts. He started favourite at 9-1. Next best was the King George VI Chase winner ROWLAND ROY. National debutants CLONCARRIG and ROIMOND were amongst several starting at 22-1. CLONCARRIG had shown he could act over the fences having won the Molyneux Chase at the Autumn meeting whilst ROIMOND had scored a hat-trick of wins in the autumn. LOYAL ANTRIM came in for considerable support but his jumping would be a worry and 1947 runner up LOUGH CONN was without a win all season but had been consistently running well in good company. As for PRINCE REGENT he returned for one more attempt at the age of thirteen and was starting at 25-1. Again he was lightly raced having been off the course since winning a three runner Becher Chase at the Autumn meeting.
GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE 4 1/2 miles (93 entries), £9,103 to the winner, £1,097 to the second, £548 to the third & £274 to the fourth
1 -0P1 PRINCE REGENT 13, 12-3 (T W Dreaper - IRE) T.Hyde
2 1F1112 HAPPY HOME 9, 11-10 (F T Walwyn) G.Kelly
3 -11310 KLAXTON 8, 11-8 (J.Anthony) R.Smyth
4 -4122 ROWLAND ROY 9, 11-8 (F T Walwyn) B.Marshall
5 -111F3 ROIMOND 7, 11-7 (G.Beeby) R.Black
6 -03B2 CADDIE II 10, 11-7 (Anthony) J.Maguire
7 -11111 SILVER FAME 9, 11-6 (G.Beeby) M.Molony
8 -200 REVELRY 8, 11-6 (F T Walwyn) D.Moore
9 PF0144 HALYCON HOURS 8, 11-5 (H.Smyth) M C Prendergast*
10 -04 LOVELY COTTAGE 11, 11-4 (J.Morant) C.Hook
11 -2F0F BRICETT 11, 11-3 (W.Hall) T.Molony
12 302400 REARMAMENT 11, 11-2 (J.Anthony) D.Ruttle
13 -0P2F CAUGHOO 9, 11-1 (IRE) E.Dempsey
14 -030 WAR RISK 9, 11-1 (B.Hobbs) R.Turnell
17 -014U CLONCARRIG 8, 10-13 (T.Masson) Mr J Hislop
18 -0011F WEEVIL 9, 10-11 (T.Farmer) V.Mooney
19 111311 CROMWELL 7, 10-11 (P.Cazalet) Lord Mildmay
20 -21310 CLONABOY 10, 10-10 (R.Hobbs) E.Hannigan
21 -0020F GORMANSTOWN 8, 10-9 (W.Hall) M.Hogan
22 -01330 SHEILAS COTTAGE 9, 10-7 (N.Crump) A P Thompson
23 -F00U2 PLATYPUS 7, 10-6 (W.Smallwood) A.Jack
24 024222 LOUGH CONN 12, 10-5 (IRE) J.Fitzgerald
25 02F311 FIRST OF THE DANDIES 11, 10-4 (G.Wilson) J.Brogan
26 -423201 HOUSEWARMER 11, 10-6* (F.Walwyn) H.Nicholson*
27 2F41F0 SIR JOHN 7, 10-3 (A S Kilpatrick) Maj C Blacker
28 -40F TUDOR CLOSE 11, 10-3 (H R Price) T.Maher
29 PFF041 LOYAL ANTRIM 11, 10-3 (IRE) E.Newman
30 100404 ZAHIA 8, 10-2 (E G Champneys) E.Reavey
31 -100B1 SCHUBERT 14, 10-2 (C.Beechener) L.McMorrow
32 2231FF ULSTER MONARCH 9, 10-1 (J S Wight) Capt J Eustace-Smith*
33 -21323 MUSICAL LAD 11, 10-1 (V.Moore) M.Browne
34 3F1020 ULTRA BENE 9, 10-1 (P.Cazalet) A.Grantham
35 4F0F22 LE DAIM 9, 10-1 (A S Kirkpatrick) S.Pinch*
37 -41343 OFFALY PRINCE 9, 10-5* (H R Price) Mr A Parker
38 -P SKOURAS 8, 10-0 (IRE) A.Power
39 221F2F PARTHENON 9, 10-0 (R.Hobbs) P.Murray
40 -3 SODA II 7, 10-0 (J.Goldsmith) H. Bonneau
41 -4423 MALTESE WANDERER 9, 10-0 (T H Yates) K.Gilsenan
42 031034 HIGHLAND LAD 9, 10-0 (IRE) E.Kennedy
43 F41333 TOMMY TRADDLES 7, 10-0 (E B Forwood) C.Harrison
44 -03F043 SOME CHICKEN 11, 10-0 (J P Roberts) W.Redmond
45 11140F SERPENTINE 10, 10-0 (H R Price) C.Mitchell*
46 2PFF30 BORAS COTTAGE 10, 10-0 (H R Price) E.Vinall
Non Runners : 15 KEEP FAITH (W T Dreaper - IRE) - E.Newman 16 BRIGHTER SANDY (W.Hall) - M C Prendergast ,36 DUSKY CHIMES () - Mr D.Ancil
* A.Brabazon down to ride Halycon Hours in the racecard
* R J O'Ryan down to ride Housewarmer in the racecard
* R.Curran down to ride Ulster Monarch in the racecard
* T F Morgan downto ride Serpentine in the racecard
S.P : 9-1 Silver Fame, 100-9 Rowland Roy, 22-1 Cloncarrig, Lough Conn, Loyal Antrim & Roimond, 25-1 First of the Dandies, Housewarmer & Prince Regent, 28-1 Caughoo, 33-1 Cromwell, Happy Home, Revelry, War Risk & Weevil, 40-1 Klaxton & Soda II, 50-1 Caddie II, Halcyon Hours, Highland Lad, SHEILA`S COTTAGE & Some Chicken, 66-1 Clonaboy, Gormanstown, Lovely Cottage, Platypus & Schubert, 100-1 Bora`s Cottage, Bricett, Le Daim, Maltese Wanderer, Musical Lad, Offaly Prince, Parthenon, Serpentine, Sir John, Skouras, Tommy Traddles, Tudor Close, Ulster Monarch, Ultra Bene & Zahia
Aintree Debutants (19)
Bora`s Cottage, Caddie II, Clonaboy, Highland Cottage, Happy Home, Le Daim*, Loyal Antrim*, Maltese Warrior, Offaly Prince, Platypus*, Roimond, Serpentine*, Sir John, Skouras, Tommy Traddles, Tudor Close*, Ultra Bene*, Weevil*, Zahia
Winners at Aintree (5)
Caughoo - Grand National (1947)
Cloncarrig - Molyneux Chase (1947)
Housewarmer - Molyneux Chase (1946)
Lovely Cottage - Grand National (1946)
Prince Regent - Champion Chase (1946) & Becher Chase (1947)
War Risk - Grand Sefton Chase (1946)
Result
1st SHEILA`S COTTAGE - A P Thompson
2nd FIRST OF THE DANDIES - J.Brogan
3rd CROMWELL - Lord Mildmay
4th HAPPY HOME - G.Kelly
5th PLATYPUS - A.Jack
6th ROWLAND ROY - Bryan Marshall
7th PARTHENON - P.Murray
8th MALTESE WARRIOR - K.Gilsenan
9th OFFALY PRINCE - Mr A.Parker
10th KLAXTON - R.Smyth
11th WAR RISK - R.Turnell
12th REVELRY - D.Moore
13th SCHUBERT - L.McMorrow
14th LOVELY COTTAGE (remounted)- C.Hook
Time : 9 mins 25 2/5 secs Distances : 1-6-6-10-6
Owned by John Procter
Trained by Neville Crump in Middleham, Yorkshire
1949 - Russian Hero
The winner
Russian Hero famously never won another race although he only went down by a head in a small race at Leicester in February 1950. His National record thereafter was pretty dismal, falling at the first fence in 1950 although he was unlucky when hampered at the Chair when leading in 1951. He fell at the first again in 1952 in what was his last racecourse appearance.
Leading Fancies
To celebrate Mrs Tophams purchase of the racecourse from Lord Sefton the meeting was extended to four days with a new race over the National fences added, the Topham Trophy which was marred by the death of Lord Mildmays Lecale Prince when leading at the fence after Valentines. He was strongly fancied to gain some compensation with his popular chaser CROMWELL starting favourite on the back of his third place last year and a recent victory over rivals Roimond and Happy Home at Windsor on his last start. Fourth placed in this last year HAPPY HOME was next best in the market although he had only won one small race at Worcester in the autumn and looked held by ROIMOND who seemed to be the form horse of the race although he was allowed to start at surprisingly long odds of 22-1. He had won four times this season at Birmingham, Cheltenham, Sandown and Worcester and had chased home the legendary Cottage Rake in the King George VI Chase (with Happy Home back in third). ULSTER MONARCH had winning form over the fences from the Autumn winning the Valentine Chase as well as a small race at Doncaster. CLONCARRIG came in for support although he had not shown a great deal this season and had never got into the King George. CAVALIERO who has picked up had picked up two small races at Lingfield and ROYAL MOUNT the Coventry Chase winner at Kempton (where had beaten Cromwell) were also well fancied.
GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE 4 1/2 miles (91 entries), £9,528 to the winner, £1,158 to the second, £579 to the third & £289 to the fourth
2 122113 ROIMOND 8, 11-12 (Beeby) - R.Francis*
3 4-13422 HAPPY HOME 10, 11-10 (F.Walwyn) - B.Marshall
6 f1-0204 CLONCARRIG 9, 11-7 (T.Masson) - K.Gilsenan
7 -231321 CROMWELL 8, 11-3 (P.Cazalet) - Lord Mildmay
8 1f1-421 BRIGHTER SANDY 11, 11-2 (W.Hall) - R.Turnell*
9 -121120 ULSTER MONARCH 10, 11-2 (Wight) - R.Curran
10 310101 CAVALIERO 8, 11-1 (Powell) - J.Brogan
11 03-pp22 CAUGHOO 10, 11-0 (McDowell - Ireland) - D.McCann
12 3101b1 ROYAL MOUNT 10, 10-12 (Powell) - P J Doyle
15 212144 ACTHON MAJOR 9, 10-11 (Easterby) - R J O'Ryan
16 221420 CADDIE II 11, 10-10 (I.Anthony) - J.Maguire
17 310132 LEAP MAN 12, 10-10 (F.Walwyn) - E.Vinall
18 11b24p BRUNO II 9, 10-9 (Anstruther-Grey) - M.Pringle
19 3120p1 FLAMING STEEL 8, 10-9 (T H Yates) - Mr J Spencer
20 0-00321 BRICETT 12, 10-9 (W.Stephenson) - T.Molony
21 011f0f RUSSIAN HERO 9, 10-8 (G R Owen) - L.McMorrow
22 043023 GALLERY 11, 10-8 (W.Bissill) - G.Slack
24 p1fb1p ARDNACASSA 11, 10-5 (T.Dreaper - Ireland) - R.Connors
25 0212-22 SAN MICHELE 9, 10-5 (H.Metcalfe) - Mr J Boddy*
26 201322 ASTRA 8, 10-4 (N.Crump) - A P Thompson*
27 11-0403 MAGNETIC FINN 10, 10-4 (W.Hall) - L.Vick
28 23-1224 TONDERMAN 12, 10-4 (J.Bloom) - Mr J Bloom
29 0000p3 LOYAL ANTRIM 12, 10-4 (T O'Sullivan - Ireland) - Mr A.Scannell
30 130004 BORA'S COTTAGE 11, 10-3 (H R Price) - E.Kennedy
31 2f-011f MONAVEEN 8, 10-3 (P.Thrale) - A.Grantham*
32 2-u3122 WOT NO SUN 7, 10-3 (N.Crump) - G.Kelly
33 -044200 REPLICA 11, 10-3 (I.Anthony) - E.Reavey
34 /01-122 LUCKY PURCHASE 11, 10-2 (Banks) - A.Jack
35 f223p0 ARRANBEG 12, 10-2 (Owens - Ireland) - R.McCarthy
36 f13f10 MARTIN M 9, 10-1 (Kilpatrick) - Maj W H Skrine
37 3-43204 SOUTHBOROUGH 11, 10-1 (Wightman) - P.Murray
38 f0-0024 STONE COTTAGE 8, 10-1* (C.Nicholson) - M.Hogan
39 /3-34404 CLYDUFFE 14, 10-0 (Wight) - J.Power
40 0f41fb CELTIC CROSS
41 -u0p403 MORNING STAR II
42 b40130 SEN TOI
44 410340 PERFECT NIGHT
46 410330 SHIPS BELL
47 -f13403 OFFALY PRINCE
48 f02130 BARN DANCE
49 u-02340 PARTHENON
50 /40-3 SAGACITY
* A.Brabazon down to ride Roimond in the racecard
* P J Murphy down to ride Brighter Sandy in the racecard
* Maj G Cunard down to ride San Michele in the racecard
* V.Mooney down to ride Monaveen in the racecard
S.P : 6-1 Cromwell, 10-1 Happy Home, 100-8 Cavaliero, 18-1 Cloncarrig & Royal Mount, 20-1 Bricett, 22-1 Roimond, 28-1 Ulster Monarch, 33-1 Flaming Steel & Royal Cottage, 40-1 Brighter Sandy, Gallery & Wot No Sun, 50-1 Acthon Major, Astra, Barn Dance, Bora`s Cottage, Loyal Antrim, Lucky Purchase, Magnetic Finn & Monaveen, 66-1 Ardnacassa, Arranbeg, Bruno II, Caddie II, Caughoo, Celtic Cross, Clyduffe, Leap Man, Martin M, Morning Star II, Offaly Prince, Parthenon, Perfect Night, Replica, RUSSIAN HERO, Sagacity, San Michelle, Sen Toi, Ship`s Bell, Southborough, Stone Cottage & Tonderman
Aintree Debutants
Arranbeg*, Astra*, Barn Dance, Celtic Cross*, Flaming Steel*, Gallery, Magnetic Fin*, Monaveen, Morning Star II*, Replica*, Royal Cottage*, Russian Hero, Sagacity*, Sen Toi*, Ship`s Bell, Wot No Sun
Winners at Aintree
Caughoo - Grand National (1947)
Cloncarrig - Molyneux Chase (1947)
Lucky Purchase - Foxhunters Chase (1947)
San Michelle - Foxhunters Chase (1948)
Ulster Monarch - Valentines Chase (1948)
Result
1st RUSSIAN HERO - L.McMorrow
2nd ROIMOND - R.Francis
3rd ROYAL MOUNT - P J Doyle
4th CROMWELL - Lord MIldmay
5th FLAMING STEEL - Mr J.Spencer
6th HAPPY HOME - Bryan Marshall
7th TONDERMAN - Mr J.Bloom
8th LUCKY PURCHASE - A.Jack
9th BRICETT (remounted) - T.Molony
10th CLYDUFFE - J.Power
11th PERFECT NIGHT (remounted) - Mr D.Ancil
Time : 9 mins 24 1/5 secs
Distances :
Owned by Mr W F Williamson
Trained by George Owen at Malpas, Cheshire.
The winner
RUSSIAN HERO famously never won another race in twenty seven attempts although he finished second a few times and was just touched off by a head at Leicester over two miles in 1950. His National record thereafter was pretty dismal as he was a first fence faller in 1950 but was unlucky to be hampered and knocked out of the 1951 National when leading at the Chair. Finally on his last ever racecourse appearance in 1952 he came down at the first fence again.