Bob Champion (left) and John Hurt (right) pictured in London in February 1984. John Hurt played the part of Bob Champion in the 1984 film "Champions" Picture by Peter Stone/Daily Mirror

By the time the National came around, his odds had been trimmed from 66/1 to 10/1 second-favourite. On April 4 1981 Aldaniti and Champion started the National as the 10-1 second favourite behind 8-1 shot Spartan Missile – who had previously won the Foxhunters’ Chase, run over the big Aintree fences twice.

The Reaction

These early experiences instilled in him the love of horses and riding that would eventually carry him to a Grand National triumph. He returned to training and racing while still in treatment and set his sights on winning the 1980 Grand National.

It will not be the same (with no spectators). (But) the main thing is that the race is on. It has a massive following throughout the world. I think my National was viewed by 400,000million people worldwide. So it is the same or even more every National." There’s no doubt that the money raised has saved countless lives and in recognition of his fantastic contribution, in 2011, Bob was awarded the Helen Rollason Trophy for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity during the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year show. But Champion – who, for the last 40 years has raised millions through his cancer charity, the Bob Champion Trust, for which he received an CBE in the New Year’s Honours List following on from his MBE given by the Queen in 1982 – never gave up hope of returning to the saddle.

The 1981 Grand National

Doctors advised that he may have only around eight months to live if he did not immediately begin a powerful course of treatment. Initially, Bob did not think much of the 30% chance of survival they gave him. At only 15 years old, Bob Champion won his first horse race. After his initial taste of victory, he continued to race on the National Hunt circuit. Champion had survived testicular cancer two years prior whilst Aldaniti had recovered from an injury that threatened to end his racing career and life. On the casting of Hurt, Champion said: “What a professional, every film he’d been in. Sadly, he is not with us anymore. But he was a fantastic man.