The open ditch at the CT (8th/24th) was eliminated and the obstacle became a plain fence, remaining 5' H.
Fr 22 Mar 1929 (3.08) 4m 4f Good to Soft 9.47.40 66 £13,000 M. Gemmell
| 1 | Gregalach | 7 | 11-04 | T. Leader jnr | B. Everett | 100/1 | Away well & always fairly prominent. 9th at 4th, 8th at 12th, 7th (of 22) WJ. Slight mistake 20th where left 7th. Left 6th BB 2C. 4th CT and tracked leading trio in same position, 10L back, VB. Left 3rd at 26th and much closer order in same position 28th. Took lead before next where 1L to the good over sole remaining serious rival. Gradually drew clear. Nicely. | ||
| 28 | 2 | Easter Hero | 9 | 12-07 | J. Anthony | J. Moloney | 9/1F | 6 | Away well & made virtually all at a good pace. Circa 5L ahead WJ. Joined early 2C and embroiled in a three-way battle with Sandy Hook and Richmond during middle part of it. Mistake VB & twisted a plate, nevertheless led alone again latter portion of CS. 2L up but under pressure after 28th, headed before next where 1L down. No answer to winner but kept on doggedly. |
| 3 | Richmond | 6 | 10-06 | G. Poole | B. Stott | 40/1 | 12 | Away well & always very prominent. Disputed lead approaching 4th. Extremely handy BB & VB 1C. 5th ABC 1C & WJ. Vied for lead again at times during middle part of 2C. Disputing 2nd when very bad mistake 26th and not jump well after, however, maintained 2nd, 2L down, after 28th. Began to weaken well before next where mistake in 3rd & beaten. Continued to fade and did well to hang on to 3rd. | |
| 28 | 4 | Melleray's Belle | 10 | 10-02 | W. Easterby | J.F. Mason | 200/1 | 2 | Dwelt & lost up to 20L start. Miraculously picked her way through carnage: rear of mid-division 4th, midfield of leading group 12th, 13th WJ. Continued gradual headway 2C: left 8th BB and left 7th CT. Further progress CS and 5th ABC. Took 4th shortly after 29th, kept on well and almost nabbed 3rd. Never nearer. |
| 28 | 5 | May King(2) | 10 | 11-02 | R. Thompson | F. Gurney | 66/1 | 3 | Away well & chased leaders 4th. Gradually became more prominent, 4th at 12th, 6th WJ. Maintained similar position 2C, still 6th CT. Left 5th at 26th, took 4th again before 28th but about 12L behind leader. A little further adrift by 29th and lost 4th not long after. Kept on under pressure and very one-paced. |
| 27 28 | 6 | Grakle | 7 | 11-09 | T. Coulthwaite | T. Hamey | 18/1 | Away well & prominent, 5th VB 1C & at 12th, 4th WJ. 5th again, about 10L behind leader, when mistake VB 2C. Had dropped to 6th by 28th and continued to fade. | |
| 7 | DDB | 9 | 10-11 | F. Withington | R. Gubbins | 66/1 | Mid-division 1C, left 14th WJ. Began to lose touch with leading group early 2C and although inheriting several places gradually became tailed off. A fence behind in 7th at 28th. Lumbered on. | ||
| 8 | Delarue | 7 | 10-03 | G. Beeby | Gerry Wilson | 200/1 | Towards rear when caused to refuse (by loose horses in the ditch) in melee at the 3rd. Kept going, well tailed off. Plodded on, forming part of a back trio 2C which became well over two fences behind and finished utterly tailed off. | ||
| 9 | Kilbairn | 8 | 10-00 | R. Parry | L. Parry | 200/1 | Well behind on inner at 2nd. Caused to refuse (by loose horses in the ditch) in melee at the 3rd. Kept going, well tailed off. Plodded on, forming part of a back trio 2C which became well over two fences behind and finished utterly tailed off. | ||
| 10R | Camperdown | 10 | 10-09 | S. Bennet | K. Goode | 200/1 | Soon last and struggled over 2nd. Threatening to become tailed off and far enough behind to be able to switch from inner to outer to avoid melee at 3rd. Continued in similar vein, negotiating CT 1C at the first attempt in company with those who did so at their second attempt! Fell somewhere and remounted, completely tailed off. Plodded on, forming part of a back trio 2C which became well over two fences behind and finished utterly tailed off. | ||
| B | Sandy Hook | 8 | 10-09 | T. Leader jnr | F. Fish | 100/1 | 26TH | Away well & always very prominent. 4th at 4th and 2nd from BB 1C until disputed lead early 2C. Became embroiled in a three-way battle with Easter Hero and Richmond during the middle part of it. Disputing 2nd with Richmond, and may have begun to feel the pinch, when BD by the blundering latter at the 26th. | |
| 27 28 | R | Trump Card | 11 | 11-12 | Maj W. Renwick | Tommy Morgan | 33/1 | 24TH (CT) | Away well & chased leaders, 8th WJ. Left 8th again at 20th. Left 7th BB 2C. Same position when refused CT 2C (at least twice). |
| F | Stage Management | 9 | 10-00 | G. Bennett | M. Doherty | 100/1 | 24TH (CT) | Rear of mid-division and the only horse back in the field on inner to come through 3rd unscathed. Jumped right BB 1C and on outer by CT 1C where caused to refuse, jockey coming off in the process but able to resume his seat. Kept going, well tailed off. Completely so when fell CT 2C. | |
| F | Lloydie | 7 | 11-04 | B. Gore | D. Rees | 22/1 | 24TH (CT) | Mid-division until caused to refuse CT 1C. Kept going but rider nearly fell off backwards upon landing on second attempt & horse came to a complete standstill. More than a fence behind and completely tailed off when fell heavily CT 2C. | |
| F | Toy Bell | 7 | 10-00 | Maj B. Powell | D.J. Morgan | 100/1 | 22ND (BB) | Mid-division 4th. Progress to be 9th at 12th & WJ. Left 4th at 20th. 5th when fell BB 2C. | |
| 26 27 | B | Knight Of The Wilderness | 9 | 11-07 | M. Savill | M. Keogh | 40/1 | 22ND (BB) | Mid-division 1C, 12th WJ. Continued in similar vein 2C, inheriting a few places. Beginning to lose touch with leaders, though just left 9th, when BD by a loose horse BB 2C. |
| F | Beech-Martin | 8 | 10-08 | T. Rayson | L.B. Rees | 50/1 | 20TH | Away well & initially chased leaders. Progress to be prominent BB & ABC 1C, 3rd WJ. 4th again and going quite well when fell 20th. | |
| F | Sultan Of Wicken | 10 | 10-03 | F. Withington | T. James | 200/1 | 20TH | Very prominent 4th, 3rd BB 1C, prominent at 12th, had dropped to 11th at WJ. Mistake 17th. Just left 9th when fell 20th. | |
| 27 | P | Hawker | 15 | 10-05 | W. Payne | Cpt A. Grant | 200/1 | 19TH (OD) | Mid-division until caused to refuse CT 1C. Kept going, tailed off, well so by WJ and when PU circa 19th. |
| F | Best Home | 8 | 10-00 | P. Wint | G. Elliott | 200/1 | 17TH | 13th at 1st. Fairly prominent thereafter. Chased leaders in 11th at 12th, 10th WJ. 9th when fell 17th. | |
| P | Merrivale | 11 | 10-03 | Lord Westmorland | F. Brookes | 50/1 | 17TH | Mid-division 4th. Rear of same, on the inner, when refused CT 1C. Kept going, tailed off. Well so when PU 17th. | |
| 25 26 27 28 | R | Sprig | 12 | 12-05 | T. Leader jnr | T. Escott | 50/1 | 17TH | Quite slowly away. Rear of mid-division 4th & BB 1C. Similar position when refused CT 1C. Eventually kept going, well tailed off and continued without much enthusiasm. Completely tailed off by 12th. Hampered by a loose horse & refused again 17th. |
| F | Ardoon's Pride | 9 | 10-10 | J. Pendarves | D. Thrale | 200/1 | 16TH (WJ) | Mid-division, 16th at 12th. 14th when fell with a splash WJ. | |
| F | Kilbrain | 9 | 10-04 | A. Bickley | V. Piggott | 100/1 | 16TH (WJ) | Rear of mid-division 4th & BB 1C. Towards rear of leading group 12th. Had just been left 15th when fell WJ. | |
| R | Ballyhanwood | 8 | 10-02 | M. Blair | J. Goswell | 100/1 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Away very well & vied for lead 1st. Had dropped to a disputed 10th by 4th. A mid-division 14th at 12th. Rear of midfield when refused Chair, causing chaos. | |
| 28 | U | Tipperary Tim | 11 | 10-10 | J. Dodd | B. Dutton | 100/1 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Mid-division 4th. Towards rear of leading group 12th. Similar position when hampered by Ballyhanwood at the Chair and became stuck on top of the fence, the jockey coming off. |
| R | Denburgh | 10 | 10-03 | H. Smyth | G. Hardy | 200/1 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Rear of mid-division 2nd. Towards rear of leading group 12th. A little further back when caused to refuse by Ballyhanwood at the Chair. | |
| R | Wild Edgar | 9 | 10-00 | E. Ryan | S.Regan | 200/1 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Rear of mid-division 4th. Further towards rear, on outer, when caused to refuse CT 1C. Kept going, tailed off, until squeezed for room Chair and caused to refuse twice, horse ending up stood in the ditch with jockey still in plate. | |
| P | Lordi | 8 | 11-00 | H. Turner | Cpt H. Weber | 28/1 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Mid-division 4th. Further towards rear, on inner, when caused to refuse CT 1C. Kept going, tailed off, until finding the Chair partially blocked & PU. | |
| P | Overdraft | 7 | 10-11 | Maj B. Powell | R. Bennett | 66/1 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Mid-division 4th & when caused to refuse CT 1C. Kept going, tailed off, until finding Chair virtually blocked & PU. | |
| 28 | R | Billy Barton | 11 | 11-07 | A. Hastings | T. Cullinan | 20/1 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Away well & chased leaders. Fairly prominent 4th. 5th, on the extreme inner, when fell CT 1C. Remounted, tailed off. Still so when caused to refuse Chair, slipping into ditch with jockey up his neck. |
| 26 27 28 | R | Bright's Boy | 10 | 12-04 | T. Leader jnr | E. Foster | 25/1 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Mid-division until caused to refuse CT 1C. Kept going, tailed off, but hampered upon take off on second attempt & clambered through fence with jockey defying gravity to cling on round horse's neck and horse coming to a virtual standstill. Caused to refuse again at a virtually blocked Chair, winding up in ditch. |
| P | Gay Dog | 9 | 10-03 | F. Armstrong | A. Birch | 200/1 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Chased leaders. 13th BB 1C. Fore of mid-division when refused CT 1C, sparking mayhem. Kept going, last of those who negotiated fence at second attempt and well tailed off. PU Chair. | |
| 28 | R | Great Span | 8 | 12-00 | W. Payne | B. Payne | 100/6 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Mid-division until caused to refuse CT 1C, rearing over backwards. Kept going, well tailed off, until caused to refuse again at the Chair, ending up in ditch and half-embedded in fence. |
| 26 27 28 | P | Master Billie | 10 | 11-00 | P. Whitaker | M. Rayson | 20/1 | 15TH (CHAIR) | Towards rear when caused to refuse in melee 3rd. Kept going but unenthusiastically and well tailed off. Had lost further ground when PU Chair. |
| U | More Din | 9 | 10-01 | H. King | A. Harraway | 200/1 | 14TH | Mid-division 4th. 18th at 12th. 17th when skewed & UR 14th. | |
| U | K.C.B. | 7 | 10-10 | F. Withington | J. Hogan jnr | 50/1 | 13TH | Away well & fairly prominent, 10th at 12th. Similar position when misjudged next & UR. | |
| 27 | F | Miss Balscadden | 10 | 10-00 | Col M. Lindsay | G. Bowden | 200/1 | 13TH | Mid-division 4th. 22nd & last of leading group 12th. Similar position when fell 13th. |
| F | Irina | 7 | 10-00 | P. Woodland | J.P. Kelly | 200/1 | 8TH (CT) | Mistake 1st. Mid-division when mistake & nearly UR BB 1C. Still midfield when fell heavily CT 1C. | |
| R | Big Wonder | 9 | 10-02 | G. Whitelaw | J. Bisgood | 50/1 | 8TH (CT) | Mid-division 4th, BB 1C & when caused to refuse CT 1C. (Hampered & caused to refuse again on second and final attempt to negotiate obstacle.) | |
| 28 | R | The Ace | 7 | 11-03 | G. Poole | G. Evans | 66/1 | 8TH (CT) | Mid-division 4th & BB 1C. Further towards rear, on inner, when caused to refuse (twice) CT 1C. |
| 28 | R | Soldier's Joy | 11 | 10-02 | P. Woodland | Cpt A. Gossage | 200/1 | 8TH (CT) | Towards rear 2nd. Rear of mid-division 4th & BB 1C. Had resumed position towards rear when caused to refuse CT 1C. |
| 27 28 | R | Ballystockart | 10 | 11-00 | E. Martin jnr | Cpt R. Sassoon | 66/1 | 8TH (CT) | Dwelt and always towards rear. Caused to refuse CT 1C. |
| F | Fleet Prince | 11 | 10-05 | A. Stubbs | F. Thackray | 200/1 | 6TH (BB) | Prominent until fell heavily BB 1C. | |
| U | Harewood | 7 | 10-00 | A. Hastings | D. Williams | 40/1 | 6TH (BB) | Chased leaders until badly hampered upon landing by Fleet Prince & UR BB 1C. | |
| U | Rampant | 9 | 10-11 | O. Anthony | Maj H. Misa | 100/1 | 6TH (BB) | Mid-division until hampered upon landing & UR BB 1C. | |
| U | Theorem | 12 | 10-00 | R. Thompson | T. Costello | 200/1 | 6TH (BB) | Rear of mid-division 2nd (where jockey called a cab), 4th and when hampered & rider came out the side door BB 1C. | |
| 28 | R | Rathory | 13 | 10-00 | A. Hastings | T. Burford | 200/1 | 6TH (BB) | Towards rear until veered left & refused BB 1C. |
| P | Odd Cat | 8 | 10-01 | F. Morgan | J. Sinnott | 200/1 | 6TH (BB) | Well towards rear until PU BB 1C. | |
| P | Duke Of Florence | 8 | 10-02 | M. Barthropp | G. Turner | 50/1 | 6TH (BB) | Well towards rear until PU BB 1C. | |
| 25 26 27 | U | Dwarf Of The Forest | 12 | 10-10 | E. Piggott | H. Kennard | 200/1 | 4TH | Mid-division until bad mistake & UR 4th. |
| U | Stort | 10 | 11-00 | J. Cockton | T. Chisman | 200/1 | 3RD (OD) | Very prominent when mistake 1st & nearly UR. Still handy when mistake & off balance jockey bumped off by glancing contact with the passing Billy Barton at the 3rd. (When loose fell CT 1C and fell again 12th where broke neck. Dead.) | |
| 26 28 | R | Darracq | 14 | 11-00 | H. Leader | G.S. Poole | 40/1 | 3RD (OD) | Prominent until refused 3rd, falling into ditch (which then ran along hampering several runners) whilst propelling jockey over fence. |
| 28 | R | Ruddyman | 10 | 10-05 | Maj B. Powell | B. Parvin | 50/1 | 3RD (OD) | Chased leaders on inner until caused to refuse by loose horse in ditch at the 3rd, jockey coming off. |
| U | Skrun Prince | 8 | 10-12 | T. Rimell | B. Gurney | 22/1 | 3RD (OD) | Mid-division on inner until jinked on take off due to loose horse in ditch 3rd and jockey & horse (who struggled through obstacle) reached landing side at the same time but separately. | |
| 26 | R | Mount Etna | 12 | 11-07 | T. Leader jnr | T.E. Leader | 28/1 | 3RD (OD) | Mid-division on extreme inner until caused to refuse at the 3rd by loose horses in the ditch (into which deposited rider). |
| 27 28 | R | Drinmond | 12 | 10-10 | G. Balding | B. Balding | 50/1 | 3RD (OD) | Mid-division on inner until caused to refuse by loose horses in the ditch 3rd (into which rider thrown). |
| R | Kwango | 8 | 10-00 | J. Pendarves | A. Waudby | 200/1 | 3RD (OD) | Mid-division until caused to refuse in melee 3rd. | |
| 28 | R | Carfax | 13 | 11-01 | B. Ancil | B. Ancil | 40/1 | 3RD (OD) | Mid-division until caused to refuse in melee 3rd, falling into ditch and sending jockey over fence. |
| 26 28 | R | Koko | 11 | 12-03 | Maj F. Barrett | S. Duffy | 66/1 | 3RD (OD) | Rear of mid-division 2nd. Caused to refuse in melee 3rd, decanting jockey into ditch. |
| R | Uncle Ben | 8 | 10-08 | T. James | P. Powell | 40/1 | 3RD (OD) | Towards rear until caused to refuse in melee 3rd, jockey coming off. | |
| R | Mabestown's Pride | 13 | 10-13 | B-G P. Winser | D. Daly | 200/1 | 3RD (OD) | Towards rear until caused to refuse in melee 3rd. | |
| F | Le Touquet | 7 | 10-12 | C. Chapman | J. Teasdale | 200/1 | 2ND | Very prominent, fell heavily 2nd. | |
| 25 26 28 | F | Ardeen | 12 | 11-02 | Sir K. Fraser | B. Lyall | 25/1 | 2ND | Prominent, fell 2nd. |
| U | Cloringo | 8 | 10-00 | J. Paterson | A. Wall | 200/1 | 2ND | Fore of mid-division, bad mistake & UR 2nd. | |
| 28 | F | Herbert's Choice | 8 | 10-08 | P. Woodland | Jimmy Farrell | 200/1 | 2ND | Towards rear, fell 2nd. |
HEROES
As well as at the Canal Turn changes were also made to the conditions of entry for the 1929 Grand National in an attempt to encourage quality over quantity, however, owners, spurred on by results like that of 1928, had never been more tempted to take a potshot at National glory, hence what will forever remain the biggest field faced the starter. And, lo and behold, the race produced a second consecutive 100/1 winner although said odds were a ridiculous price for Gregalach who was a much better horse than Tipperary Tim. There were major melees at the 3rd, Canal Turn (!) and Chair, mainly affecting those in midfield and rear positions. Some horses at the first two of those obstacles were kept going or remounted so it wasn't long before runners were spread from Aintree to Maghull!
In front of a crowd of circa 300,000 (though possibly not a new record) Gregalach, usually accompanied to the races by a rough-haired terrier, became Tom Leader's second Grand National winner. His Australian jockey, Bob Everett (who died on active service in World War Two), had not ridden in a chase for several weeks beforehand. The victor and the runner-up were half-brothers (their sire, My Prince, also got Reynoldstown, Royal Mail (who was a product of the Ascetic line too) and Prince Regent). Easter Hero, having matured under Jack Anthony's tutelage, had won his last five races; most recently the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which had come of age, by twenty lengths. Had he not twisted a plate he would, at the very least, have finished much closer to Gregalach who wisely stayed out of the three-way battle (Easter Hero/Sandy Hook/Richmond) that raged during the middle part of the second circuit. However, adrenaline cannot be underestimated and Easter Hero's jockey, Jack Moloney, felt his horse became tired under his lofty burden, refusing to use his plate problem as an excuse. Contemporary opinion was divided regarding whether or not Sandy Hook was at the end of his tether when brought down at the 26th. Melleray's Belle may have been in the shake up had she not lost twenty lengths at the start, however, she was notorious for being slowly away and prone to being outpaced early on. Grakle had still not matured enough to develop the necessary stamina, certainly not on going that wasn't quick.
The winning time was above average for Good to Soft and strictly at the weights in the 1929 Grand National Easter Hero emerged 11 (pounds/lengths) superior to Gregalach, 35 ahead of May King, 41 better than Richmond and 47 in advance of Melleray's Belle. However, we must take into account manner of victory and all manner of misfortunes. I will allow Easter Hero 5 for his twisted plate and becoming involved in a three-way battle, Gregalach 2 for ease of success, Richmond 6 for mistakes and being in the three-way battle, and Melleray's Belle 9 for ground lost at the start. The revised figures, therefore, see Easter Hero with an advantage of 14 over Gregalach, 40 over May King and Richmond, and 43 over Melleray's Belle. In the 1929 and 1930 Gold Cups Easter Hero beat Grakle by a minimum of 20 lengths and in the 1931 National the latter (improved and able to translate his form to the longer distance on faster ground) came out 6 inferior to Gregalach. Previously, in the 1927 Gold Cup, a 5-y-o Grakle had beaten another dubious stayer of the National trip, Silvo, by 1 1/2 lengths. Silvo received ratings of -28 and -44 in the 1924 and 1925 Nationals respectively and although past his best by 1927 he was running at a more suitable distance when encountering Grakle so I will split the difference and measure his ability at roughly -36 in 1927. This puts Grakle at about -34 and thus Gregalach at approximately -28, which would seem reasonable per time and weight carried in the 1929 National. Consequently May King and Richmond are both rated -54, Melleray's Belle -57 and Easter Hero -14. It was a classy performance by Easter Hero, in adversity and shouldering 12st 7lb, in a contest run at a decent clip, most of which he set, and he fully deserves to take his place on my Scroll Of Merit which now reads: -7 Troytown; -14 Lottery, The Lamb, Disturbance, Seaman, Come Away, Cloister, Jerry M, Easter Hero; -17 Poethlyn; -18 Congress, The Liberator; -19 Why Not, Manifesto.