Grand National first jump, suddenly veered across the leading group at the 23rd, causing them to either stop, refuse or unseat their riders. Racing journalist Lord Oaksey described the resulting pile-up by saying that Popham Down had "cut down the leaders like a row of thistles". Some horses even started running in the wrong direction, back the way they had come. Foinavon, whose owner had such little faith in him that he had travelled to Worcester that day instead, had been lagging some 100 yards behind the leading pack, giving his jockey, John Buckingham, time to steer his mount wide of the
1986 Grand National fell at the fourth. "Last Suspect" was always well to the rear before being pulled up at the eighteenth fence but both "West Tip" and "Mr Snugfit" were well in contention in a leading group of eight crossing the Melling Road towards the second last fence. "West Tip" had cruised up into second place at that point behind the 66/1 outsider, "Young Driver" with "Classified", "The Tsarevich" and "Sommelier" the other challengers with "Mr Snugfit" having dropped back to eighth. "West Tip" moved upsides "Young Driver" after jumping the final fence and always looked comfortable on the run in despite