The late BBC commentator Peter O’Sullevan, as ever, described the conclusion of Aldaniti and Champion’s victory in perfect style. Picture by Jason Roberts...... Racing legend Bob Champion walks the course on media day ready for the 2013 Grand National meeting at Aintree racecourse.

Bob continued to race and win until 1983. By that time, he had approximately 500 wins to his credit. Althea Gifford: “Bob is quite shy, somebody who keeps his thoughts to himself a bit, but he always looked you in the eye and was absolutely straight. I give him great credit for all he did afterwards [for his Trust]… it is amazing.” Last December, Champion took part in The Full Monty on Ice for ITV. The show aimed to raise cancer awareness during a time when most minds were fixed on the global pandemic. Since retiring from racing, Bob’s career has encompassed everything from training – “I had a winner over the National fences which meant an awful lot to me” – to being a roving ambassador for the British Racing School, and various TV show appearances. But barely a month goes by when he isn’t out supporting the Trust. Champion had survived testicular cancer two years prior whilst Aldaniti had recovered from an injury that threatened to end his racing career and life.His own heroes: “The best I ever rode with, and the best I’ve ever seen is John Francome. He’s absolute class. He was always on the right stride to a fence because he’d organised things so far out. I’ll never forget his Champion Hurdle ride on Sea Pigeon.” Aldaniti starred as himself in the 1983 film Champions alongside John Hurt. His Grand National win was voted 61st of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments in a Channel 4 opinion poll. Then his father (Peter) never won a National, but he and his partner (Lucinda Russell) trained a National winner, One For Arthur. Champion cites the 1973 National as the most outstanding renewal of the race, with the future three-time winner Red Rum claiming the first of his successes from the valiant Australian chaser Crisp, who was carrying a top-weight of 12st.

Eventually when I was two out, I thought 'I've got to keep hold of his head' because his legs were like glass and keeping him sound was the most important thing. Josh Gifford – “the most loyal trainer there’s ever been,” according to Bob – was unstinting in his support. He assured Bob that his job was waiting for him, and – with his owners – presented him with a cheque one Christmas to help stay afloat financially.

Recognition

In 1979, Bob Champion was diagnosed with testicular cancer. In true Champion fashion, Bob refused to believe that his doctors were correct. He got him relaxed and did a fantastic job. My part was to sit on him on a raceday. That was about it. It’s Aldaniti from Spartan Missile. Aldaniti is gonna win it, at the line, Aldaniti wins the National!” I was written off. Everybody said I was finished. But Josh (Gifford, Aldiniti’s trainer) stood by me, and as you can see we came good on the right day.”

There always seems to be a story involved with it - you've got 40 runners, everybody in the country used to have their one bet a year on the Grand National." You do all the formalities, the press, TV all those interviews and basically you get on with the job. There are plenty of other women too, not just those two - there's Bryony Frost as well - but they do a fantastic job.After a dismal loss in 1981’s first Ashes test at Trent Bridge, then a draw at Lord’s, Mike Brearley took over the captaincy ahead of the third test at Headingley. Australia then had a target of 130 to beat, but they were dismissed for 111, with the Botham-inspired England becoming only the second team in Test Match history to win after being made to follow on. The next thought was this would be a fantastic way to retire for about three seconds. And then I thought, 'I want to do next year'.