The 1978 Grand National (officially known as The Sun Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 132nd renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 1 April 1978. In a close finish between the leading five horses, the winner was Lucius, by about half a length.
Three times winner Red Rum was declared out of the race due to injury, but was allowed to lead the post parade.
Finishing order PositionNameJockeyAgeHandicap (st-lb)SPDistance01LuciusBob Davies910-914/102Sebastian VRidley Lamb1010-125/103DrumroanGerry Newman1010-050/104CoolishallMartin O'Halloran910-016/105The PilgarlicRichard Evans1010-133/106Mickley SeabrightPeter Brookshaw1010-333/107Lord BrowndoddJohn Francome1010-716/108The SongwriterBryan Smart910-050/109Roman BarPat Kiely910-833/110Brown AdmiralJohn Burke910-033/111Golden WhinSteve Holland810-450/112TamalinGraham Thorner1111-225/113Lean ForwardJames Evans1210-033/114NereoMark Floyd1210-066/115Never RockKevin Mooney910-050/1
Non-finishers
FenceNameJockeyAgeHandicap (st-lb)Starting priceFate01Cornish PrincessRichard Hoare1010-166/1Fell01Otter WayJeff King1010-1016/1Fell01Teddy Bear IIPhilip Blacker1110-450/1Fell02Hidden ValueTommy Stack1010-025/1Fell03War BonnetDessie Hughes1010-850/1Fell04Sadale VIClive Candy1110-166/1Fell06Gleaming RainSean Treacy1010-025/1Fell06Henry HallFrank Berry910-066/1Fell06Tied CottageTommy Carberry1011-49/1Fell08Irish TonyDennis Atkins1010-033/1Fell08Master HReg Crank911-210/1Saddle slipped10Double NegativeColin Tinkler810-033/1Fell10Shifting GoldBob Champion911-616/1Fell10SoNiall Madden910-414/1Fell11BurratorJohn Suthern910-066/1Fell11Master UphamPaul Barton1010-025/1Fell11SilkstoneGlenn Graham1010-066/1Fell13Double BridalBill Smith710-150/1Fell15Churchtown BoyMartin Blackshaw1110-014/1Fell19April SeventhAndy Turnell1210-1120/1Refused21Rag TradeJonjo O'Neill1211-38/1 FPulled Up22HarbanJoe Byrne910-066/1Unseated Rider
Media coverage and aftermath David Coleman was back presenting the special edition of Grandstand after missing the previous year's broadcast. The 1976 winner Rag Trade pulled up lame before the 22nd fence and was later euthanized.
References