Saturday, April 2, 1977 was considered by many to be the day of reckoning for Red Rum who, as a 12-year-old, was making his third attempt to win a third Grand National, after finishing second in both 1975 and 1976. In the absence of the 1976 winner Rag Trade, trainer Fred Rimmell saddled another formidable contender in the form of Andy Pandy, who was sent off 15/2 favourite after beating Red Rum out of sight in the Grand National Trial at Haydock Park earlier in the season.
However, Andy Pandy was one of 33 casualties among the 44 starters, falling a Becher’s Brook on the second circuit, when in a clear lead. By that stage, Red Rum was, in fact, the only one in first half a dozen in the betting still standing. Left in the lead, Red Rum was never headed. He turned for home with only two loose horses and Churchtown Boy, who had won the Topham Chase just two days earlier, for company. Ridden by Martin Blackshaw, Churchtown Boy momentarily looked dangerous when closing down Red Rum approaching the second-last fence, but lost momentum with a less-than-fluent jump and thereafter Red Rum simply drew further and further clear.
“It’s hats off and a tremendous reception, you’ve never heard one like it at Liverpool,” exclaimed BBC commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan, as Red Rum sauntered up the run-in in splendid isolation to win by 25 lengths. An exhausted Churchtown Boy finished second, six lengths ahead of Eyecatcher, who finished third for the second year running, and a further eight lengths ahead of The Pilgarlic in fourth place. Elsewhere, Charlotte Brew, who rode 200/1 outsider Barony Fort, who eventually refused four fences from home, also made history by becoming the first female jockey to participate in the Grand National.