Chris Grant
Chris Grant was born near Catterick on 14 October 1956.
Chris Grant was born near Catterick on 14 October 1956.
Leaving school at 15, he joined Denys Smith, who trained at Bishop Auckland.
Leaving school at 15, he joined Denys Smith, who trained at Bishop Auckland.
It was a couple of years before he got to ride in a race - finishing fifth on Tanora at Catterick - and another three years before he rode his first winner, Trim Lawns at Hexham, 4 June 1977.
It was a couple of years before he got to ride in a race - finishing fifth on Tanora at Catterick - and another three years before he rode his first winner, Trim Lawns at Hexham, 4 June 1977.
This was to be the first of 788 winners which Chris would ride: the last was Micky Hammond's Capital Punishment at Perth on 21 April, 1994.
This was to be the first of 788 winners which Chris would ride: the last was Micky Hammond's Capital Punishment at Perth on 21 April, 1994.
In between came notable victories in the Scottish Grand National, Melling Chase, Charlie Hall Chase, two Greenhall Whitley Chases and the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
In between came notable victories in the Scottish Grand National, Melling Chase, Charlie Hall Chase, two Greenhall Whitley Chases and the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
Yet it was the race he didn't win - the Grand National, in which he finished runner-up three times - that he will be best remembered.
Yet it was the race he didn't win - the Grand National, in which he finished runner-up three times - that he will be best remembered.
Even that didn't nearly happen.
Even that didn't nearly happen.
Aged 22, he was already struggling with his weight. He was averaging only a dozen rides a year and, in four seasons, had won just three times.
Aged 22, he was already struggling with his weight. He was averaging only a dozen rides a year and, in four seasons, had won just three times.
Chris was considering alternative employment when along came a horse called Laen and his luck turned.
Chris was considering alternative employment when along came a horse called Laen and his luck turned.
Starting at Cartmel, it gave Chris three wins bringing that season's winning total up to seven from a growing number of rides (64) and Chris decided to have one last shot at the game.
Starting at Cartmel, it gave Chris three wins bringing that season's winning total up to seven from a growing number of rides (64) and Chris decided to have one last shot at the game.
He went on to have an unlucky thirteen rides in the Grand National, starting with Flashy Boy in 1980.
He went on to have an unlucky thirteen rides in the Grand National, starting with Flashy Boy in 1980.
Chris, as a claimer, had already won on him three times, but the horse had a reputation for making mistakes, and so it proved, coming down at the Canal Turn on the second circuit.
Chris, as a claimer, had already won on him three times, but the horse had a reputation for making mistakes, and so it proved, coming down at the Canal Turn on the second circuit.
The following year and again in 1983, he rode The Vintner, which refused on both occasions.
The following year and again in 1983, he rode The Vintner, which refused on both occasions.
Then, in 1984, he rode Midnight Love for Denys Smith. An awkward though talented jumper, he came down at Becher's.
Then, in 1984, he rode Midnight Love for Denys Smith. An awkward though talented jumper, he came down at Becher's.
Chris came last on Captain Parkhill in 1985, then, in 1986, second on Young Driver, a newcomer to the race.
Chris came last on Captain Parkhill in 1985, then, in 1986, second on Young Driver, a newcomer to the race.
Young Driver had previously given little indication that he was an Aintree horse: he'd won a couple of novice hurdles in the 1981-82 season and, having joined Mick O'Toole's stable in Ireland, finished third in the Ritz Chase at Cheltenham.
Young Driver had previously given little indication that he was an Aintree horse: he'd won a couple of novice hurdles in the 1981-82 season and, having joined Mick O'Toole's stable in Ireland, finished third in the Ritz Chase at Cheltenham.
Young Driver then ran six times without winning prior to lining up for his first National. Having recently suffered from leg and back problems, it was little wonder that the horse went off at 66/1.
Young Driver then ran six times without winning prior to lining up for his first National. Having recently suffered from leg and back problems, it was little wonder that the horse went off at 66/1.
Belying his odds, Young Driver jumped the last in front but had nothing left as Richard Dunwoody cruised past on West Tip.
Belying his odds, Young Driver jumped the last in front but had nothing left as Richard Dunwoody cruised past on West Tip.
Chris finished nineteenth of the twenty-two finishers in 1987 on Why Forget before, in 1988. coming second again, this time on Durham Edition. Leading on the run-in, he was collared by Rhyme'N'Reason when his stamina gave out in the final 100 yards.
Chris finished nineteenth of the twenty-two finishers in 1987 on Why Forget before, in 1988. coming second again, this time on Durham Edition. Leading on the run-in, he was collared by Rhyme'N'Reason when his stamina gave out in the final 100 yards.
In 1989, choosing to ride Durham Edition over The Thinker, who had finished second the previous year, he came fifth.
In 1989, choosing to ride Durham Edition over The Thinker, who had finished second the previous year, he came fifth.
The pair tried yet again in 1990: this time it was the record breaking Mr Frisk that thwarted Chris's dreams of Aintree Glory.
The pair tried yet again in 1990: this time it was the record breaking Mr Frisk that thwarted Chris's dreams of Aintree Glory.
Chris was no luckier at Cheltenham. Picking up a spare ride, Cybrandian, in the 1987 Gold Cup, he came second to The Thinker, ridden by the ill-fated Ridley Lamb.
Chris was no luckier at Cheltenham. Picking up a spare ride, Cybrandian, in the 1987 Gold Cup, he came second to The Thinker, ridden by the ill-fated Ridley Lamb.
He was second yet again a fortnight later when beaten on Fortina's Express by Strath Leader in the Whitbread Gold Cup.
He was second yet again a fortnight later when beaten on Fortina's Express by Strath Leader in the Whitbread Gold Cup.
The following season, then aged 13, Durham Edition tried for the fourth time, he and Chis finishing a respectable sixth. Chris came ninth on Stay On Tracks in 1992 before finally, at the age of 37, pulling up on 66/1 shot He Who Dares in 1994.
The following season, then aged 13, Durham Edition tried for the fourth time, he and Chis finishing a respectable sixth. Chris came ninth on Stay On Tracks in 1992 before finally, at the age of 37, pulling up on 66/1 shot He Who Dares in 1994.
Chris endured his fair share of injuries: in 1979 he broke his left leg in a fall at Market Rasen. Then, in the 1988-89 season broke his right leg in two places. He put himself through a strict routine of cycling and swimming to return to the saddle in March 1989.
Chris endured his fair share of injuries: in 1979 he broke his left leg in a fall at Market Rasen. Then, in the 1988-89 season broke his right leg in two places. He put himself through a strict routine of cycling and swimming to return to the saddle in March 1989.
Having quit race-riding, he became a trainer and sent out Double Vodka for the opening handicap hurdle race at Aintree on Grand National day, 2006. Double Vodka finished third at 66/1.
Having quit race-riding, he became a trainer and sent out Double Vodka for the opening handicap hurdle race at Aintree on Grand National day, 2006. Double Vodka finished third at 66/1.
Big winners:
Big winners:
1981: Greenall Whitley Chase – Sunset Cristo
1981: Greenall Whitley Chase – Sunset Cristo
1984: Greenall Whitley Chase – Midnight Love
1984: Greenall Whitley Chase – Midnight Love
1985: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Harry Hastings
1985: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Harry Hastings
1987: Charlie Hall Chase – Cybrandian
1987: Charlie Hall Chase – Cybrandian
1990: H & T Walker Gold Cup – Blazing Walker
1990: H & T Walker Gold Cup – Blazing Walker
1991: Scottish Grand National – Killone Abbey
1991: Scottish Grand National – Killone Abbey
1991: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Royal Derbi
1991: Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Royal Derbi
1991: Rowland Meyrick Chase – Stay On Tracks
1991: Rowland Meyrick Chase – Stay On Tracks
1992: Northumberland Gold Cup – Sybillin
1992: Northumberland Gold Cup – Sybillin