The 1968 Grand National saw Red Alligator run out a comfortable winner of the contest, crossing the line 20 lengths in front of Moidore’s Token, who finished second.
The horse would go two places better than the year before when he finished 3rd, and the experience from that run certainly stood him in good stead here.
Trained by Denys Smith and ridden by Brian Fletcher, who would later gain fame with Red Rum, this was Smith’s sole win in the race and Fletcher’s first of three wins in the race.
Brian Fletcher Begins Grand National Success
When Grand National jockeys are thought of, Brian Fletcher will be one of the first that comes to mind for many older racing fans, due to his association with Red Rum and the Grand National.
Fletcher rode Red Rum three times in the race, winning in 1973 and 1974 and finishing second in 1975. He did not ride Red Rum in the other two races, 1976 and 1977.
But it was Red Alligator that gave Fletcher his first success, and also first ride. That first ride came in 1967, when the pair finished third, they came back a year later and won in 1968.
Fletcher had an excellent Grand National record in his career, riding in the race nine times, finishing with three wins, one second, two third and three failures to complete.
Tim Durant Makes Grand National History
Many people will not know Tim Durant from the Grand National, but he does hold a unique record.
He rode three times in the race, failing to complete in 1966 and 1967, before riding Highlandie in 1968. The pair finished 15th in the race, and by completing, Durant became the oldest jockey to ever complete the race, at the age of 68.