1979 Grand National
| Grand National | |
| Location | Aintree |
|---|---|
| Date | 31 March 1979 |
| Winning horse | Rubstic |
| Jockey | Maurice Barnes |
| Trainer |  John Leadbetter |
| Owner | John Douglas |
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Replay of the 1975-79 Grand Nationals in full Racing UK, BBC Sport, YouTube | |
| Coverage of the 1979 Grand National by British Movietone |
It's anybodys race as they run into the final furlong, and it's Rubstic on the nearside with the advantage over Zongalero and Rough and Tumble as they race up towards the line, it's gonna be a victory for Scotland, it's Rubstic from Zongalero in the National, and as they come to the line, Rubstic is the winner!
Commentator Peter O'Sullevan describes the climax of the 1979 National
The 1979 Grand National was the 133rd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1979.[1][2]
The race was won by Rubstic who was the first ever Scottish-trained winner.
The favourite Alverton died in the race, a month after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Another fatality was Kintai, who had to be put down later on.
Finishing order
| Position | Name | Jockey | Age | Handicap (st-lb) | SP | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Rubstic | Maurice Barnes | 10 | 10-0 | 25-1 | |
| 02 | Zongalero | Bob Davies | 9 | 10-5 | 20-1 | |
| 03 | Rough and Tumble | John Francome | 9 | 10-7 | 14-1 | |
| 04 | The Pilgarlic | Richard Evans | 11 | 10-1 | 16-1 | |
| 05 | Wagner | Ridley Lamb | 9 | 10-0 | 50-1 | |
| 06 | Royal Frolic | John Burke | 10 | 11-10 | 25-1 | |
| 07 | Prime Justice | Keith Taylor | 9 | 10-0 | 200-1 | Last to complete |
Non-finishers
| Fence | Name | Jockey | Age | Handicap (st-lb) | Starting price | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Double Negative | Eddie Woods | 9 | 10-5 | 66-1 | Fell |
| 01 | Sandwilan | Jenny Hembrow | 11 | 10-0 | 100-1 | Fell |
| 01 | Wayward Scot | Roy Davies | 10 | 10-7 | 100-1 | Fell |
| 01 | Vindicate | Aiden O'Connell | 12 | 11-8 | 200-1 | Fell |
| 06 (Becher's Brook) | Oskard | Martin Blackshaw | 10 | 10-0 | 100-1 | Fell |
| 06 (Becher's Brook) | Purdo | Bob Champion | 08 | 10-12 | 25-1 | Fell |
| 08 (Canal Turn) | Sand Pit | Tommy Carmody | 09 | 10-7 | 22-1 | Fell |
| 10 | Drumroan | Gerry Newman | 11 | 10-4 | 20-1 | Fell |
| 15 (The Chair) | Alpenstock | Dennis Gray | 12 | 10-0 | 100-1 | Brought Down |
| 15 (The Chair) | Ben Nevis | Charlie Fenwick | 11 | 11-2 | 14-1 | Brought Down |
| 15 (The Chair) | Cartwright | A. Phillips | 10 | 10-0 | 200-1 | Brought Down |
| 15 (The Chair) | Godfrey Secundus | Colin Tinkler | 9 | 10-3 | 25-1 | Brought Down |
| 15 (The Chair) | Kick On | Ron Hyett | 12 | 10-0 | 50-1 | Brought Down |
| 15 (The Chair) | Kintai | Bryan Smart | 10 | 10-0 | 100-1 | Brought Down |
| 15 (The Chair) | No Gypsy | John Suthern | 10 | 10-1 | 66-1 | Brought Down |
| 15 (The Chair) | Rambling Artist | David Goulding | 9 | 10-6 | 16-1 | Brought Down |
| 15 (The Chair) | The Champ | Bill Smith | 11 | 10-12 | 25-1 | Fell |
| 21 | Brown Admiral | Sam Morshead | 10 | 10-0 | 100-1 | Unseated Rider |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Alverton | Jonjo O'Neill | 9 | 10-13 | 6-1 F | Fell |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Churchtown Boy | Taffy Salaman | 12 | 10-0 | 25-1 | Brought Down |
| 22 (Becher's Brook) | Mr Snowman | Graham Thorner | 10 | 10-9 | 10-1 | Fell |
| 24 (Canal Turn) | Lord Browndodd | Andy Turnell | 11 | 10-3 | 25-1 | Pulled Up |
| 26 | Dromore | Mr Peter Duggan | 11 | 10-10 | 50-1 | Pulled Up |
| 27 (open ditch) | Artistic Prince | Philip Blacker | 8 | 10-3 | 25-1 | Fell |
| 27 (open ditch) | Coolishall | Anthony Webber | 10 | 10-2 | 12-1 | Fell |
| 29 | Flitgrove | Richard Linley | 8 | 10-1 | 50-1 | Pulled Up |
| 29 | Red Earl | James Evans | 10 | 10-0 | 50-1 | Pulled Up |
Media Coverage and Aftermath
Unfortunately, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Alverton broke his neck at Bechers 2nd circuit and was euthanized.
References
- ^ "The Montreal Gazette - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "Past Winners of The Grand National". grand-national.net. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ "1978 & 1979 - The Grand National & Aintree 1970-79". seventiesnationals.webs.com. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- ^ The Grand National : the history of the Aintree spectacular, by Stewart Peters & Bernard Parkin, ISBN 0-7524-3547-7
- ^ "Grand National Anorak |". freewebs.com. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
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