False starts at the Grand National lead to chaotic scenes at Aintree.
The first false start to the Grand National happened when ja number of jockeys were tangled in the starter tape. After a second false start to one of the world's greatest horse races, most riders ignored an order to return to the starting line. The race is not expected to be re-run.
The 1993 Aintree Grand National would become known as the race that never was.
After the first false start, the 39 horses returned to the starting line. Starter Keith Brown gave the signal for the off for a second time. The tape was slow to rise and became entangled in the field. The red flag signifying a false start was raised again. This time, many of the riders did not notice and continued with the race. This was the first time the steeplechase had been declared void.
The crowd knew at this stage that the race had turned into a farce. Esha Ness ridden by John White was first past the post followed closely by Cahervillahow ridden by Charlie Swan in second place and Romany King ridden by Adrian Maguire in third. Jockey John White was extremely disappointed as he thought he had won the race.
I didn't see any flag.
During a steward's enquiry, it was predicted the nine runners who heeded the red flag along with those who completed less than one circuit, would line up again. However, this was not to be as it was finally decided that the race would be declared void.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 April 1993. The reporter is Peter Collins.
