What a great memory, If I am not mistaken this was one of his last wins. Night Nurse started favourite for the Gold Cup after this run but was pulled up behind Silver Buck. But still my all time favourite horse.
Night Nurse was already 11yo by this time, and had started as a flat horse. He had been out for a year with injury before 1980/1, so he was entitled to lose his form by this stage of his career. He did go off favourite for the Gold Cup after this, but didn't turn up on the day. This race just typified his chasing career - immaculate jumping before banking the last. He really could go to extremes as a jumper, but considering his pedigree, his achievements in that sphere were remarkable.
+MrGezz66 Agree good example is 1980 King George where bad mistake at the third last and the final fence cost him victory. I am convinced that he would have won the 1981 Gold Cup when he finished 2nd to Little Owl, if Tied Cottage had not fallen when well clear as the Gallop he was setting was making it a real test of stamina, and Night Nurse was catching Little Owl all the way to the line. This is assuming of course they got to Tied Cottage as he was 25 lengths clear when he Unseated Rider.
tobin2, my apologies (checked my Haig NH annual for 1982-83). His final win was at Wolverhampton in November 1982. He ran 4 times in 1982-83; 2nd at Worcester (to Wayward Lad); 1st at Wolves; pulled-up in Bregawn's Hennessey Cognac at Newbury; and tailed off 5th of 6 behind Wayward Lad in the King George on Boxing Day. After the King George he was, quite sensibly, retired.
yeah, when school finished at 3pm l've always reach home when racing come on bbc or itv in those days in midweek. even over the weekend when grandstand and world of sport come on a Saturday at 12pm.oh man. l love it.
Doncaster's fences seemed bigger then than what they are now. Night Nurse, at his best best was undoubtedly the best hurdler ever, but he didn't quite transfer that to chasing, nevertheless he was still decidedly high-class.
Watching this i wonder why Night Nurse lost his form so badly at the end of 1982 leading to his retirement after being tailed off in the king george, as earlier that year he ran some cracking races particularly when carrying topweight to victory in the Mandarin Chase, and when 5 lengths 2nd to Bregawn at Haydock giving him 19lbs.
isn't it funny nowadays age is the important factor in racing. but in those days it didn't really mean much. Today when a horse reaches the age of ten you think the horse should be pushing his zimmer frame.
WOW - GREAT FIND MATE
AND JOHN PENNY - EVERYONE FORGETS WHAT A GOOD COMMENTATOR HE WAS
Thanks for posting these vids, always a pleasure seeing these great old horses again.
What a great memory, If I am not mistaken this was one of his last wins. Night Nurse started favourite for the Gold Cup after this run but was pulled up behind Silver Buck. But still my all time favourite horse.
He was a great commentator.
And Raleigh Gilbert
Night Nurse was already 11yo by this time, and had started as a flat horse. He had been out for a year with injury before 1980/1, so he was entitled to lose his form by this stage of his career. He did go off favourite for the Gold Cup after this, but didn't turn up on the day. This race just typified his chasing career - immaculate jumping before banking the last. He really could go to extremes as a jumper, but considering his pedigree, his achievements in that sphere were remarkable.
+MrGezz66 Agree good example is 1980 King George where bad mistake at the third last and the final fence cost him victory. I am convinced that he would have won the 1981 Gold Cup when he finished 2nd to Little Owl, if Tied Cottage had not fallen when well clear as the Gallop he was setting was making it a real test of stamina, and Night Nurse was catching Little Owl all the way to the line. This is assuming of course they got to Tied Cottage as he was 25 lengths clear when he Unseated Rider.
+mervyn charter The 1981 Gold Cup was probably his best ever run over fences. Curiously the only time he beat Silver Buck.
Thanks for that information I dont remember his Worcester win but what a great horse.
tobin2, my apologies (checked my Haig NH annual for 1982-83). His final win was at Wolverhampton in November 1982. He ran 4 times in 1982-83; 2nd at Worcester (to Wayward Lad); 1st at Wolves; pulled-up in Bregawn's Hennessey Cognac at Newbury; and tailed off 5th of 6 behind Wayward Lad in the King George on Boxing Day. After the King George he was, quite sensibly, retired.
great stuff,night nurse was a true champion.
l remember watching this race this was on a Saturday on world of sport and it was with the famous ITV six with Kempton park too.
you dont look old enough
yeah well l was still in my school days as a teenager. so l remember it was on world of sport on Saturday. so there
i used to rush home from school to catch the racing on tv myself........happy days
yeah, when school finished at 3pm l've always reach home when racing come on bbc or itv in those days in midweek. even over the weekend when grandstand and world of sport come on a Saturday at 12pm.oh man. l love it.
jason.....are you a fun punter or a serious punter??
He won once more, the following season, 1982-83. Think it was at Worcester.
Doncaster's fences seemed bigger then than what they are now. Night Nurse, at his best best was undoubtedly the best hurdler ever, but he didn't quite transfer that to chasing, nevertheless he was still
decidedly high-class.
Watching this i wonder why Night Nurse lost his form so badly at the end of 1982 leading to his retirement after being tailed off in the king george, as earlier that year he ran some cracking races particularly when carrying topweight to victory in the Mandarin Chase, and when 5 lengths 2nd to Bregawn at Haydock giving him 19lbs.
isn't it funny nowadays age is the important factor in racing. but in those days it didn't really mean much. Today when a horse reaches the age of ten you think the horse should be pushing his zimmer frame.