Racing: Grand National winner passes away

Racing:

Grand National winner passes away

Grittar, who carried the then 48-year-old amateur rider Dick Saunders to victory in the 1982 Grand National, has died aged 25, writes Ian Davies. Trained by Frank Gilman, the 7-1 favourite came home 15 lengths clear and Saunders, the oldest winning jockey of the National, won critical acclaim for the outstanding ride he gave the gelding after he courageously took the Fred Winter/John Francome route down the inside rail where the drops at the fences are more severe but considerable ground can be saved. Saunders retired immediately after the win but Grittar ran twice more in the National, finishing fifth in 1983 and 10th the following year.