It had sporting fairytale written all over it. Devon Lock, the Queen Mother's horse, was galloping to victory in the world's greatest steeplechase, the Grand National. With the last fence cleared and all but 40 yards left to race, it seemed as if nothing could possibly stop the handsome grey gelding and jockey Dick Francis...
Which was when Devon Lock's legs slipped from underneath him.
Quite why Francis's mount sprawled in such a spectacular fashion is a matter racing buffs have been debating ever since that fateful day in 1956. Was he trying to jump a shadow? Had the horse encountered a 'phantom' fence? Was he suffering from cramp? Whatever the cause of the problem, Francis could do little as his mount - having regained its footing - refused to continue, so allowing E.S.B. to eat up the five-length deficit and race home to win.
To her credit, the Queen Mum was very understanding about Francis's misfortune - "Oh, that's racing," she told one observer. And as for the fact the jockey went on to become one of the country's greatest mystery writers, it's seems only fitting given what had happened to him and a horse called Devon Lock.