1979 Grand National

The 1979 Grand National (officially known as the Colt Car Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 133rd renewal of the Grand National horse race, which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 31 March 1979.^[1][2]

1979 Grand National

Grand National
Location	Aintree
Date	31 March 1979
Winning horse	Rubstic
Starting price	25/1
Jockey	Maurice Barnes
Trainer	John Leadbetter
Owner	John Douglas
Conditions	Good to Soft
← 1978 1980 →

External videos
First 12 Fences (BBC)
Closing Stages (BBC)
Coverage of the 1979 Grand National by British Movietone
National Colours

It's anybody's race as they race into the final furlong, and it's Rubstic on the nearside with the advantage over Zongalero and the weakening Rough and Tumble as they race up towards the line, it's gonna be a victory for Scotland, it's Rubstic from Zongalero in the National, and as they come to the line, Rubstic wins it..

Commentator Peter O'Sullevan describes the climax of the 1979 National

The race was won by Rubstic who was the first ever Scottish-trained winner.

Finishing order

Position	Name	Jockey	Age	Handicap (st-lb)	SP	Distance
01	Rubstic	Maurice Barnes	10	10–0	25/1
02	Zongalero	Bob Davies	9	10–5	20/1
03	Rough and Tumble	John Francome	9	10–7	14/1
04	The Pilgarlic	Richard Evans	11	10–1	16/1
05	Wagner	Ridley Lamb	9	10–0	50/1
06	Royal Frolic	John Burke	10	11–10	25/1
07	Prime Justice	Keith Taylor	9	10–0	200/1	Last to complete

Non-finishers

Fence	Name	Jockey	Age	Handicap (st-lb)	Starting price	Fate
01	Double Negative	Eddie Woods	9	10–5	66/1	Unseated Rider [3]
01	Sandwilan	Jenny Hembrow	11	10–0	100/1	Fell
01	Wayward Scot	Roy Davies	10	10–7	100/1	Fell
01	Vindicate	Aiden O'Connell	12	11–8	200/1	Fell
06 (Becher's Brook)	Oskard	Martin Blackshaw	10	10–0	100/1	Unseated Rider [4]
06 (Becher's Brook)	Purdo	Bob Champion	08	10–12	25/1	Fell
08 (Canal Turn)	Sand Pit	Tommy Carmody	09	10–7	22/1	Fell
10	Drumroan	Gerry Newman	11	10–4	20/1	Fell
15 (The Chair)	Alpenstock	Dennis Gray	12	10–0	100/1	Brought Down
15 (The Chair)	Cartwright	Adrian Phillips	10	10–0	200/1	Brought Down
15 (The Chair)	Godfrey Secundus	Colin Tinkler	9	10–3	25/1	Brought Down
15 (The Chair)	Kick On	Ron Hyett	12	10–0	50/1	Brought Down
15 (The Chair)	Kintai	Bryan Smart	10	10–0	100/1	Brought Down
15 (The Chair)	No Gypsy	John Suthern	10	10–1	66/1	Hampered & Refused [4]
15 (The Chair)	Rambling Artist	David Goulding	9	10–6	16/1	Brought Down
15 (The Chair)	The Champ	Bill Smith	11	10–12	25/1	Fell
16	Ben Nevis	Charlie Fenwick	11	11–2	14/1	Brought Down (15), Remounted, Pulled Up[3]
21	Brown Admiral	Sam Morshead	10	10–0	100/1	Unseated Rider
22 (Becher's Brook)	Alverton	Jonjo O'Neill	9	10–13	6/1 F	Fell
22 (Becher's Brook)	Churchtown Boy	Taffy Salaman	12	10–0	25/1	Fell[5]
22 (Becher's Brook)	Mr Snowman	Graham Thorner	10	10–9	10/1	Fell
24 (Canal Turn)	Lord Browndodd	Andy Turnell	11	10–3	25/1	Pulled Up
26	Dromore	Peter Duggan	11	10–10	50/1	Refused (22), went on and Pulled Up [4]
27 (open ditch)	Artistic Prince	Philip Blacker	8	10–3	25/1	Fell
27 (open ditch)	Coolishall	Anthony Webber	10	10–2	12/1	Fell
29	Flitgrove	Richard Linley	8	10–1	50/1	Pulled Up
29	Red Earl	James Evans	10	10–0	50/1	Pulled Up

Aftermath Unfortunately, the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Alverton broke his neck at Becher's on the second circuit and was euthanized.^{[6] [7][8]}

Media coverage and aftermath

David Coleman once again presented a special edition of Grandstand on the BBC. The favourite, Alverton, died after falling at Becher's Brook on the second circuit (fence 22) when travelling strongly. Just over two weeks earlier he had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and was going for a famous double only achieved by, Golden Miller, in 1934. Kintai was another fatality who was brought down at fence 15 and was later euthanized.