1985 Grand National horse, West Tip had been fortunate to survive being hit by a lorry in 1982, which left a huge scar in his hind quarters. Having recovered, he went on to show impressive form by winning four races in the buildup to the National, including The Ritz Club National Hunt Handicap at Cheltenham a few weeks before Aintree. His partner was Richard Dunwoody, the youngest rider in the contest and among thirteen riders making their National debut. Such was the interest in the pair in the days leading to the race that he was asked to appear on the Wogan show
Evan Williams (jockey) 16 July 2001, aged 89. Evan Williams (jockey) Evan Morgan Williams (9 May 1912 – 12 July 2001) was a horse racing jockey born in Cowbridge, Wales, in 1912. He won the 1937 Grand National on Royal Mail, and he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1936 (on Golden Miller) and 1940 (on Roman Hackle). Evan Williams' father, Fred, was an amateur jockey. After service in the armed forces during the Second World War, he became a trainer and won the first running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1951 (with Supreme Court). He later relocated