Francis unveils Aintree facelift
Dick Francis, the most famous jockey never to win the Grand National, opened a new-look Aintree as crowds gathered for the start of the 159th festival.
Francis was romping home to victory on the Queen Mother’s Devon Loch in the 1956 Grand National when he made a bizarre half-jump and fell just 50 yards from the finish.
The rider, who went on to become a successful novelist, never won the National but has been a staunch supporter of Aintree racecourse over the years.
He officially opened a new weighing room, winner’s enclosure and paddock, the first phase of a £30m (€43m) development of the historic Liverpool course.
As he unveiled a glass inscription inside the new weighing room, he said: “This is an honour for me.
"I haven’t seen nearly enough of the new facilities yet but it looks fantastic.
“The Devon Loch episode was a terrible thing but I look back on it now and I can say that if it hadn’t happened I might never have written a book, and my books have certainly helped keep the wolf from the door.”
Speaking after the ceremony, he explained: “After Devon Loch, I was persuaded to write my autobiography and after that I wrote for The Sunday Express for 16 years and that taught me how to write. It taught me what words to leave out.
“The Devon Loch episode is still a terrible memory, even after all these years.
“I had had a terrific ride for four and a quarter miles on him and he pricked his ears up and I believe that is when the noise of the crowd hit him.
“It was a tremendous crescendo of noise and it seemed that his hindquarters refused to act just for a split second.”
Francis, who has published 39 thrillers, also revealed that his next novel, Under Orders, involves four deaths at the Cheltenham Festival, three human and one equine.
Crowds of more than 25,000 were expected to attend the opening day of the National meeting, beneath grey skies and in a strong, blustery wind.
A further 50,000 people are expected tomorrow and around 75,000 on Saturday.
Aintree spokesman Nigel Payne, said: “We’ve broken attendance records for the last four or five years, so I’ll be surprised and disappointed if we fall below that level this year.
“The improvements we have made look fantastic and even regular visitors to Aintree are in for a new and improved experience.
“Tattersalls tickets are still available for all three days but they may well sell out for Saturday so I would urge anyone wanting them to act quickly.”
