1981 Grand National 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 chronic leg problems, and his jockey Bob Champion, who had recovered from cancer. Aldaniti's injuries dated back to 1976, while Champion had been diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1979. However, Aldaniti was nursed back to optimum form ahead of the race, and Champion overcame lengthy hospitalisation and chemotherapy to win the National by a distance of four lengths.
1927 Grand National — refused. Bovril III, a 100/1 outsider, finished in second place by one length, with Bright's Boy another length behind in third. This was the first National to be covered on BBC Radio. 1927 Grand National The 1927 Grand National was the 86th renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England, on 25 March 1927. The race was won by Sprig, the 8/1 favourite ridden by jockey Ted Leader. Leader's father, Tom, trained the winner. It was Sprig's third attempt at winning the National — his owner, Mary Partridge, having kept