I think this is better than National Velvet

[stuart.uk]

Spoiler Alert

Champions is not a film known in America, but it's a brilliant horse-racing drama I rate higher than both National Velvet and Seabiscuit, both of which are rightly regarded as classic movies.

Champions is the true story of Bob Champion, as played by John Hurt. Kirsty Alley noticed a lump when making love to Bob and asked him to check it out. This saved his life as he discovered he had cancer. The first half of the film deals harrowingly with Bob's treatment, but the second half deals with his recovery as he goes on to win the Grand National. His horse, like Seabiscuit, suffers a series injury and is nearly put down, but like his rider recovers and acheives glory.

I'll just post the last two parts of the film, which include the race and on the next post Bob riding to the wonderful Carl Davies score

Watch for Edward Woodward as the trainer, Jan Francis as the girlfriend and the wonderful Alison Steadman as Bob's sister

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[stuart.uk]

Here's the very moving ending to what I think is a truly great film
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