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
Graham Lee (jockey) Lee missed the 2006 Scottish National due to a virus, which would eventually end his relationship with Howard Johnson for whom he had been the main stable jockey. He was replaced by Paddy Brennan. Lee then became the main stable jockey and deputy trainer for Ferdy Murphy, where he would remain until March 2012. He was second in the 2007 Scottish National on Nine De Sivola and missing out by just half a length, as in the Irish Grand National of the same year. Lee rode favourite Joe's Edge in the 2007 National, but pulled up at the 20th fence