1988 Grand National
| Grand National | |
| Location | Aintree Racecourse |
|---|---|
| Date | 9 April 1988 |
| Winning horse |
 Rhyme 'n' Reason
|
| SP | 10/1 |
| Jockey |
 Brendan Powell |
| Trainer | David Elsworth |
| Owner | Juliet Reed |
| Conditions | Good to soft |
|
← 1987
1989 →
|
|
 Replay of the 1988 Grand National in full YouTube |
The 1988 Grand National (known as the Seagram Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 142nd renewal of the world-famous Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 9 April 1988.
The race was won by Rhyme 'n' Reason, in a time of nine minutes and 53.5 seconds and by a distance of four lengths. Durham Edition was second, and Monamore third. West Tip finished fourth. 17/2 favourite Sacred Path fell at the first fence. Nine of the 40 runners completed the course, however one horse, Smith's Man broke down during the race and died a few days later.
Sacred Path had been off the racecourse for fourteen months prior to a win at Warwick in March, which led him to be backed down to 17/2 favourite at the off despite the relative inexperience of his jockey, Clive Cox. The conditional jockey was one of eleven riders making their debut in the race but also proved to be one of the three who departed the race at the first fence. Neither horse nor rider competed in the race again.
Rhyme 'n Reason was a former Irish Grand National winner who had gone through a two-season barren spell before emerging as the form horse going into the Grand National. Wins in the Anthony Mildmay, Peter Cazalet Memorial Chase at Sandown and the Racing Post Chase in January were followed by an appearance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup where he was still in contention but under pressure when falling four fences from home. Few of his potential backers were put off by that and he was sent off at 10/1 with Brendan Powell in the saddle. Their race looked certain to come to an end when the horse all but fell at Becher's Brook and was left in last place by the time horse and rider had recovered to continue. Powell settled his mount back into the field and moved forward to challenge going to Becher's second time round, emerging from the fence in second place after Strands Of Gold fell and Course Hunter suffered an identical fate to Rhyme 'n Reason on the first circuit. They were left in front by the fall of Little Polveir five fences from home and remained there until being passed by Durham Edition at the penultimate fence, at which stage they looked beaten. Rhyme 'N Reason rallied after the final flight and overhauled the leader to win. The 1988 National was his first, and was also to be his last, picking up a fractured hock while jumping Becher's Brook on the second circuit. The gelding was retired from racing after his victory and spent the remainder of his life at Woodhaven stud in Hampshire.
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