Master Robert

The name Aubrey Hastings will not mean much to many modern-day racing fans, but in terms of the Grand National, the master trainer has to go down as one of the greats.

A four-time winner of the race, all coming within 18 years of each other. The last of those came in 1925 when Master Robert crossed the finishing line four lengths ahead of the field.

Master Robert was 11 at the time of his win, and this would actually be the only time he would run in the Grand National, making things that little bit sweeter. He was sent off with an SP of 25/1, relatively unfancied from the 32 runners that took part this year.

The winning time he recorded was nine minutes and 40 seconds, which was almost the same as the eight minutes this race was delayed due to a false start. Unable to get them off correctly, following the trouble at the start, new procedures would be brought in the following year, though Master Robert was not put off by this.

Two fences from home, Master Robert was still going well and being brought into contention alongside two other runners, Conjuror II and Fly Mask. But at the last, he jumped well, and jockey Bob Trudgill asked him for more. The horse duly obliged.

Some call Master Robert a lucky winner, as on the second circuit, leader Winnal was taken out of the race by a loose horse. This all happened at the Canal Turn, at the time, WInnal was 20 lengths clear and building a lead that some saw as too big to catch. However, he would go down as one of the unlucky Grand National runners of the era.

Trainer Hastings would take the plaudits after the race, cementing himself as a man who knew what it took to win the Grand National during this era. His horses were never flashy, impressive winners, but stayed well, jumped well and would be ridden in a way to steer clear of trouble in the race, which played its part here.

Master Robert was a one-time runner, one-time winner, and the fourth and final success for Hastings.

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