Gutless, witless and reckless? The controversy over Red Marauder's chaotic win

This time 20 years ago was a desperate period for the sport.

The outbreak of foot and mouth had blown a considerable hole in the fixture list, forcing the abandonment of key meetings including the Cheltenham Festival. By the time Aintree in April had arrived, restrictions had relaxed just enough to allow the Grand National meeting to go ahead, yet the grey cloud hanging over the season proved reluctant to lift and monsoon-like conditions on the big day threatened to rob the sport of its flagship race.

Serious questions were being asked about whether the race should be taking place in such attritional conditions – and more serious questions were being asked by the Racing Post afterwards, resulting in one of the most controversial front pages in the newspaper's then 15-year history.