Horse Racing 1973 Topham Trophey Aintree

Red Rum forever linked with this meeting but for me as an 8yo I just looked forward to it for 2 reasons my favourite greys Inch Arron in this race and Grey Sombrero in the National. Both were idols of mine at the time and this race put me on such a high little did I realise the total despair to follow in the National itself.

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[bluemanc43]

No Grand National ever overshadowed a race that in any other year was the race of a decade bar the 1977 National and that was the 1977 Templegate Hurdle deadheat with Night Nurse and Monksfield,

[Leighschlager]

I know exactly, how you feel, I felt the same devastation as a 13 year when Dark Ivy was killed, cried for hours

[bluemanc43]

@Leighschlager Yes thats very similar yet both greys died in different ways.

Poor Dark Ivy died instantly yet horrenously but poor old Grey Sombrero struggled to his feet but his obviously broken shoulder and arrival of the knackerers van sealed his fate. To this day when ever I see the 1973 National I cant watch it from the elbow as it shows the final moments of Grey Sombreos existance.

[waqarkhan25]

has any got more tapes of the topham chase if you do please and can you tell me did incharon ran in the Grand National if he did when and where?

[waqarkhan25]

can some tell me did incharon ran the Grand National if he did then can some one put it on the tube please in fact is any more topham chase please can you put it on the tube

[macvatu]

@seanofafrica....Night Nurse was very versatile racehorse which won classics in Hurdles as well as Fences. Fred Winter also trained a favourite of mine, Pendil. The great Arthur Stevenson put out at least one horse every meeting up and down the country; and a good 'un was Into View II, not to be confused with another called Interview. Marvellous days they were, the early 70s.

[burnleyfan11965]

remember iceman very well often wondered why he never run a national

[seanofafrica]

bluemanc43 is absolutely bang on! Due to Red Rum's awesome historical run in the National, people forget the amazing race between Night Nurse and Monksfield, two legendary horses of their day.

[MrBungers]

@grincher2006...totally agree. The fences on the run up to Bechers are the trickiest part of the course, apart from the first which is small now following a lot of fallers there is the 2002 national. The 2nd - 5th are big with big drops - after Bechers i honestly dont think the course is too difficult - I walked it last year.

[grincher2006]

@MrBungers...the trouble is they are quick to ease the fences but say, there were no fallers at a fence for a few years they wouldnt stiffen it. So its all one way. With bechers they were right to fill in the brook, but wrong to alter the landing side. There have been deaths since 1990 at Bechers. However, the overall horse quality is far superior today than at any time before so I guess that is one good thing. Valentines and the 4th/20th is jumping big for a few years now.

[grincher2006]

@chatham43...I agree. Look at the 1977 national and you will see the fences on the second circuit retain their height and the fences jumped "big". Some years the fences seem softer i.e. 1992 or 1996 and some years stiffer. The course builders have a large effect. Even today on soft or heavy ground the fences will jump "big".

[chatham43]

@MrBungers .....the fences certainly look more robust here....and seem to remain intact.....these days they just seem to fall apart.....think even an average jumper can survive the course now....no one wants to witness any serious injuries or deaths.....bot an element of danger is part of the race....and that seems to have gone.........and that has changed the character of the race...............

[MrBungers]

I can see how much of a horse lover you are Blue Manc, rather than just a racing fan. I feel exactly the same way, but I am interested in if you think the changes to the fences are acceptable, in terms of minimising risk, or whether you think the traditions of the course should be left alone, with the possibility of injury a regrettable part of the sport. I think a balance needs to be found, with the balance ar the moment having gone to far towards safety .