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
Grand Parade (horse) the older horse (a high-class performer who subsequently won the Coronation Cup) and won comfortably. News of his impressive work became public and he became a strong Derby fancy, with odds of 100/12 (just over 8/1) being offered. Shortly before the Derby however, Grand Parade suffered an injury to a heel which interrupted his training and put his participation in doubt, causing his odds to drift out to 33/1. Glanely and Barling’s stable jockey, Arthur Smith, elected to ride Dominion at Epsom, leaving Grand Parade to be partnered by Fred Templeman. The Derby of the 1919 was the first to