Richard Pitman tells the story of Crisp's defeat at the hands of Red Rum in the 1973 Grand National 

Lovely memory and as much as I was happy with Redrum winning being a Scouser, my heart felt for Crisp. Magnificent horse

I contacted Richard Pitman last year to make him aware of a 1973 interview of him in the unsaddling enclosure. It was the first time he had seen it. Complete gent then and now.

I could listen to Pitman all day. There was an interview on AtR a couple of years ago and he was absolutely mesmeric. Seems to have a great attitude on life.

He must of told these stories a million times and many times in interviews and yet whenever i see him speaking his sheer enthusiasm and charisma shine through and gets me hooked into watching again like it's the first time hearing, He really should be on tv or a racing channel more often.

crisp made the legend that was red rum 2 great national heroes both remembered for their courage

Great insight from Richard Pitman, remember the race as if it was yesterday. One of the all time great sporting events.

Richard Pitman has the most magnetic way about him that draws you in and keeps your attention for however long he keeps it. Even now after all these years there's a sense Richard still feels like he let Crisp down going to give him a crack and it throwing Crisp completely. Imagine if he HAD won? Neither Crisp nor Red Rum would have instantly gone down in the history books because it wouldn't have been much more than a really impressive winner that managed to lead all the way with the most incredible stamina. Red Rum wouldn't have sealed his place in the records either so I guess some consolation is the heartbreaking loss was the most superb gain for both of them - for the National itself. Watching the National this weekend was similar to seeing Crisp. Jett went out so far from the outset and ran his heart out, jumped like a flea and had an absolute blast but when he ran out of steam he just completely went all at once. Seeing him drop further and further behind so close to home and coming in 8th after all that effort and superb ride was heartbreaking. I can't imagine how it must have felt hearing Red Rum's hooves and nostrils getting louder and closer and knowing you're really in trouble. Oh God... That must feel like being chased by dogs - knowing you can't outrun them but you still try because it's all you have.

What a horse so much bloody weight gave everything jumped the fences like hurdles will never be forgotten !!!!

Brilliant,, the way he tells this race I feel like I was riding crisp,,his details are unbelievable,,what a top man

48 years ago still feels like yesterday. That moment and Tom Watson not winning the Open in 2009 remain the two harrowing sporting events I remember

Absolutely brilliant so glad for memories sitting here with tears in my eyes thank you so much

Great interview about a Great horses Crisp and of course Red Rum.

Breaks my heart every time I see the '73 National. Crisp ran the perfect race and Richard Pitman the perfect ride over all of the fences - right up until those last unforgiving 494 yards. The irony is that if they'd held on for the win, they'd probably be remembered far less than they are now. Beautifully described and reminisced by Richard Pitman, someone who lives and loves racing, and cares for each and every horse's welfare.

Loved that, rich talks so well, greatest national ever, loved crisp.

Beautiful interview thank u Richard for sharing those observations fascinating and yes one of the greatest rides of all time

Don’t beat yourself up , you gave him a great spin . National legend .

Geez what a prediction Rachael Blackmore won the National and a year later won the Gpld Cup..Hope Richard got 1000/1 about it 😀 Lovely fella

What a lovely man an what a jockey

A great sporting man

Brilliant interview

Lovely - very interesting to hear that Lester could slow a race down from the front - Jackie Stewart in his prime did exactly the same in GPs. THAT's talent for you!

Heart Breaking . do not think anyone narrating a ride has .actually mounted me on their horse in this way .Then to watch & actually see Crisps shortened stride as Red Rum. lenghans his with such power . The comment regarding those ears any horseman subconciously reads that had pricked with pleasure as he conquered very. fence in a manner that undermines ANYone who.cannot understand how hese solendid horses are inspired by the challenge .Having had the privilege of riding some .bold generous soul s & having completed , Generally Xcountry ,a few pt to pts , often on homebred horses , landing over a last fence & lfeeling that they.can. lenghthan stride is ...... have found a collection of such interviews many of races watched as a child with my Father ..... thank you . G

Great speaker, so eloquent.

A very good interview - though I'm sure Crisp's final run was not defeating Red Rum at Doncaster. I think he was in the frame in the 1975 Whitbread.

pitman gave the horse a brill ride......with giveing massieve weight away could be the best ever run in the national....what a horse...

Dear RUMMY I still cry when I think of the day he died

Poor Crisp just didn't stay. Rummy loved it and somehow managed to jump around Liverpool.

Mr Pitman if you are reading this I can say the whip didnt cost you the race , Red Rum cost you the race. Dont forget you were saving a length at every fence , thats 30L and probably saved 5 more lengths at the canal turns , half a length in defeat and gaining 35L around the course doesnt add up , you were beaten by an Aintree legend.

yea such an amazing race it's sad now the public pressure and the RSPCA ordered the course to be changed yet again in 2013

good man pitman well done

I agree completely with Pittman. It's hard to *not* do, but using a stick on a tired horse is often counterproductive. It disrupts rhythm and direction, and that takes away momentum.....which is often all that a knackered horse has going for him.

A Girl will win the National before She Wins the Gold Cup, How Prophetic was that .....Rachel Blackmore....

Gotta love Dick Pitman. He was right abiut a woman winning the Grand National too!

Gentleman horseman genius

Im sorry Richard Pitman has got his facts wrong. Crisp was NOT retired after that match in 1974. He ran in the 1975 Whitbread gold cup at Sandown.

I always thought he should never have hit him with the whip he was a horse that gave his all I never realised he thought it caused him the win even though I saw him coming of a straight line once Richard let go of the rains wonderful horse Fred winter did the right thing letting him retire and have his enjoyment of an easy time of being spoiled in his twilight years just hunter chasing around fields it would have been heaven for him he would have loved every minute of it he was born to jump and he did it for pleasure 😜😜😜😜 PEACE Dublin Ireland

But for a mistake at the 2nd last Crisp would have been close to winning the 1975 Whitbread Gold Cup

Richard is my great uncle aha

I remember my eldest brother had £10 on him to win (that was a lot of money then).

The Duke of A wasnt in plaster (that was against even the lax mid 70s rules) and he finished 7th. The Duke (David Nicholson) was actually hacking his mount back and shouted out to you between Bechers and the 21st...as he was heading back...as can be clearly seen on the race footage....and giving the benefit of the doubt you waved your stick at Crisps withers (why if not to make contact?) about 5 times after the elbow, again seen on the footage. So, apart from the made up stuff....

Pitman can talk about it all day long because nothing will change , the bottom line is that Pitman was a terrible no confidence jockey, and he should have won that race very easily indeed but didn't know how to ride a horse obviously , he cost ante post punters fortunes, Pitman was no doubt the bookies best friend , end of matter

He got beat because pitman went to fast

Why did nobody speak to Brian Fletcher? Or Tommy Stack about Red Rum who won 3 GNs, Second twice, a Scottish national, second in the Hennessey. Crisp record isnt near it, Red Rum jumped it 5 times was a great jumper Kilmore was better for Fred but the establishment never could give Brian Fletcher and Donald McCain snr and Tommy Stack any credit. How many interviews have been done with Brian and Tommy?

Pitman cost him the race