50 years ago, on April 8th, 1967, the Grand National took place as usual at Aintree.
Saturday's race is 50 years to the day since the biggest upset in the history of the World's most famous race. 100/1 outsider Foinavon broke clear from the field to win the race.
At the 23rd fence of the race, Popham Down who had unseated its rider at the very first fence, ran into Ruterfords causing a massive pile-up. Many jockeys were unseated, and numerous horses were pulled up.
Such was Foinavon's odds at the start of the race, the horse was so far back from the pile-up, that jockey John Buckingham had time to veer the horse to the outside of the course and to jump the fence.
Such was the lead Buckingham gained at the fence from the field, it was a lead Foinavon would never lose, winning by 15 lengths.
Legendary Irish commentator Micheal O'Hehir was working on the race for BBC, and was the first commentator to realise what horse took the lead, at the far end of the Aintree course.
Years later, O'Hehir admitted he was the first to realise Foinavon's colours due to a trip to the weigh-room before the race. The horse's owner had changed the colours of the jockey from what was advertised, due to the belief that green was unlucky.
Foinavon's notoriety with the course continues to this very day. The famous fence where the horse made the winning move has since been named Foinavon and will be the 7th and 23rd fence jumped in Saturday's race.
Mon Mome, in 2009, is the only other horse since 1967 to win the race at similar odds.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
