1981 Grand National In second place was the 8/1 favourite, Spartan Missile, ridden by 54-year-old amateur jockey and grandfather John Thorne. The story of Bob Champion and Aldaniti was made into a film "Champions", with John Hurt portraying Champion. The film is based on Champion's book "Champion's Story", which he co-wrote with close friend and racing journalist and broadcaster Jonathan Powell. 1981 Grand National The 1981 Grand National was the 135th renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 4 April 1981. It is remembered for the winning horse Aldaniti, who had recovered from
Graham Lee (jockey) with a daughter and a son, and lives in Bedale, North Yorkshire. <br>Grand National – WON : Amberleigh House, 2004. <br>Scottish Grand National – WON: Grey Abbey, 2004 <br> Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey – WON: 3 wins, 2005 <br>Cheltenham World Hurdle – WON: Inglis Drever, 2005 <br>Cheltenham Supreme Novices Hurdle – WON: Arcalis, 2005 <br>Steward's Cup – WON: Hawkeyethenoo, 2012 <br>Charlie Hall Chase – WON: Ballybough Rasher, 2003 <br>Irish Grand National – 2nd: Nine De Sivola, 2007 <br>Ryanair Chase – 2nd: Kalahari King, 2011 <br>Totesport Bowl – 4th: Calgary Bay, 2010 <br>Cheltenham Gold Cup – 5th: Grey Abbey, 2005 NH