Just Champion

Red Rum milks the applause in 1977

5) In 1981 Bob Champion and Aldaniti hung on to beat Spartan Missile and his 54-year-old rider John Thorne in a driving finish. Bob had overcome cancer and Aldaniti had recovered from leg trouble to compete.

Rummy's hat-trick

6) In 1977, at the age of 12, the legendary Red Rum romped home by 25 lengths for his historic third victory - a feat unparalleled in racing history and celebrated throughout the world.

Trade wins

7) Few who witnessed the 1976 National will forget Red Rum's brave effort in the final run-in past the elbow, to get back on terms with Rag Trade. "Rummy" looking beaten, rallied again in the final yards, narrowly failing to peg back the lower-weighted horse.

Foinavon fairytale

8) Foinavon's incredible sudden emergence from the pile-up caused by the aptly named riderless horse, Popham Down, in 1967 was a testament to the nerve and composure of jockey John Buckingham. Foinavon won at 100-1.

Fight to the finish

9) In 1950, Freebooter got back into the race after clobbering The Chair. From the Canal Turn on the second circuit it was a ding-dong battle with Cloncarrig all the way to the second last, when the latter fell allowing Freebooter to win.

Sprig in his step

10) In 1927, Sprig went from sixth to first with an enormous leap at the Canal Turn. Still ahead at the last, he doggedly hung on in heavy ground from the fast-finishing Bovril III to win at this, his third attempt.