1996 Grand National

The 1996 Grand National (known as the Martell Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 149th official renewal of the world-famous Grand National steeplechase that took place at Aintree on 30 March 1996.It was the first national to run since 3 time winner Red Rum was buried at the winning post following his death the previous October.

The race was won in a time of nine minutes and 0.8 seconds and by a distance of lengths by Rough Quest, the 7/1 favourite, ridden by Mick Fitzgerald. The winner was trained by Terry Casey at his base in Dorking, Surrey, and ran in the colours of Andrew Wates, the chairman of Kempton Park Racecourse. Casey collected £142,534 of a total prize fund shared through the first four finishers of over £230,000. A maximum of 40 competitors was permitted but only 27 ran. There was one equine fatality during the race.

Leading contenders

Rough Quest was sent off as 7/1 favourite having won the Racing Post Chase at Kempton in February and then followed up by finishing second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup sixteen days before the National. Jockey Mick Fitzgerald took his second ride in the race. The favourite moved into contention at the start of the second circuit, taking the last flight in second place before overhauling the leader to win by lengths.

Son Of War was regarded as the housewives' choice, being the only grey in the race and was considered the best hope of a first Irish-trained victory for over two decades, having won the Irish Grand National in 1994. Connor O'Dwyer was taking his sixth ride in the race and had moved into tenth position when he was unseated at the Canal Turn on the second circuit.

Young Hustler, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, was having his third attempt in the National, having fallen early on in 1994 and being brought down before completing a circuit in 1995. However he regained public confidence when winning the Becher Chase over one circuit of the course in November. Chris Maude was given his second ride in the race and took the 8/1 shot to the front right from the start, remaining there until being headed turning for the second-last and eventually finishing fifth.

Superior Finish had also failed to complete a circuit of his previous attempt at the National in 1995 when considered an each-way chance but was backed down to 9/1 when the most experienced and successful rider in the race, Richard Dunwoody, booked him as his 11th National ride after winning the Cazelet/Mildmay Memorial Chase in February. The horse looked to be struggling taking the Canal Turn for the second time but finished strongly, passing beaten horses to snatch third place on the line.

Life Of A Lord was a seventh National ride for Charlie Swan and was backed down to 10/1 after winning the Kerry Grand National the previous September. The only ever training entry of illustrious flat trainer Aidan O'Brien, he had every chance when jumping the Canal Turn in fifth place but came under pressure after the third-last and faded to finish seventh.

Party Politics was a favourite among the masses of once-a-year punters, having won the race in 1992 and been second in 1995, and provided Carl Llewellyn with his sixth ride, having also been in the saddle for all three of his mount's previous attempts, including the void race of 1993. The former winner was a shock faller at the third fence and was promptly retired.

Other well-fancied runners included 1995 Agfa Diamond Chase winner Deep Bramble who was pulled up after going lame on the way to the second-last fence and was later retired; twice Thystes Chase winner Wylde Hide who was still in touch in 11th place when unseating his rider at the Canal Turn second time around; Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup runner-up at Cheltenham Encore En Peu, who moved up to dispute the lead at Valentine's on the second circuit before going clear after the second-last, only to be headed after the elbow; and the 1994 Badger Ales Chase winner Lusty Light, despite having fallen at the first fence in 1995, who this time got around without ever getting into contention to finish a distant 16th.Agony For Marston; Aintree Fall Guy Could Miss Ride On Lusty Light. , Goliath Business News
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Finishing order

Non-finishers

Rust Never Sleeps and Deep Bramble were found to have broken down badly and while the latter recovered and was retired from racing, the former was euthanised. Former winner Party Politics was also retired after the race. Jason Titley was the only rider injured during the race and was taken to hospital after his fall at the first fence.

Media coverage

The BBC
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