(Bloomsbury, £18.99, ebook £13.67)

A LOVINGLY-crafted tribute to the victorious 1967 Grand National winner, David Owen’s book is about much more than the world-famous steeplechase.

The background, development and undistinguished race record of Foinavon are noted, as are some of the horse’s many quirks – plus the first meeting with a nanny goat called Susie.

Of course, the real drama lies in how the 100-1 shot defied the odds, strolling through to land national hunt racing’s greatest prize after a melee eight fences out, becoming part of Aintree folklore in the process – the ultimate “tortoise and the hare” story.

James Cleary