About The Grand National
The Worlds most famous horse race takes place around the flat 21/4 mile circuit which is known as The Mildmay course. The horses travel twice around making the total race distance 4 miles 856yds which is the longest trip in National hunt racing.Grand National Fences
The Grand National runners don't just require the stamina to run such a distance but also the jumping ability to conquer thirty of the toughest fences in the sport. There are sixteen fences on the Aintree Grand National course, 14 of which are jumped twice.
The Early Stages of The Race
The starter has a difficult job as the 40 jockeys are all trying to get their horses into a good position for the dash to the first fence. The first fence shouldn't be too much of a test but with many jockeys wanting to get into the lead early on it is taken at some speed. Forty Grand National runners jumping at the same time can mean the end of the race for some. In 1952, 12 horses fell here. The second is another standard fence at 4ft 6 inches high but the runners are still going too fast and fighting for position. The third fence is the first open ditch and a big one at that with a six foot gap on the take off side. Its taken as the pace eases off slightly and the combination of ditch, height of the fence at 5ft 2 inches and adjustment of speed catches out many runners. Fences four and five are standard fences and give the jockeys time to prepare their mounts for the tough first turn.The Notorious First Turn
Becher's Brook, fence 6 and 22, is arguably the most difficult of all the Aintree Grand National fences and has been the end for many Grand National runners. This fence is jumped as the horses are about to turn left handed, its slightly taller than the previous two fences at 4ft 10 inches but its the drop of six foot nine inches on the landing side which is the big problem. The fence is named after Captain Martin Becher who, in the first running of the Grand National, was leading on the first circuit until his mount Conrad unseated him and hurled him into the brook. There is little time to recover before meeting Foinaven, fence 7, which is taken on the bend. In 1967 there was a huge pile up here as a rider-less horse cut across the Grand National runners. Foinavon's jockey avoided the trouble and went on to win the race aboard the 100/1 outsider. A short run to the Canal Turn before a sharp 90 degree bend to the left. Some jockeys take this one at an angle which may save them covering ground but with the fence standing at 5ft high, they risk ending the race here. Stay clear of loose runners who can cause havoc at the turn. After trouble at the Canal Turn in 1928, just two Grand National runners finished the race!The Back Straight
After the Turn there is no chance of a breather as Valentines, fence 9, is also five foot in height but this one has a drop on the landing side too! In 1840 Grand National runner, Valentine, made it look easy. He pulled up to a stationary position and leap frogged the fence! For those runners still standing, fences 10 and 11 shouldn't be a problem as jockeys and runners catch a much needed breather. There's a long run to fence 12, and then Grand National runners cross the Melling Road before taking 13 and 14.End of The first Circuit
The Chair, fence 15, is the tallest and longest Grand National fence, measuring 5ft 2 inches in height with a 6ft long ditch on the take off side and its three feet deep. On top of that the course narrows at this fence, so there is competition for much needed room. A clear run at a decent pace is needed give a horse every chance of clearing this one. Fortunately for the Grand National runners, they only need to jump the chair once. The Water Jump, fence 16 is the same width as the Chair and stands on the inside of the Aintree Grand National course near the winning post. At only two feet high its a relief after negotiating the Chair but with a ten foot pond the other side there could be some wet hooves. Jockeys and runners cant relax for too long as they are about to embark on the second circuit.The Run In
Second time round the Grand National runners by-pass the Chair and Water jumps and head for the winning line via the sharp turn known as the elbow. Those still standing may have survived the fences but the 494 yard run in from the final fence to the winning post has seen races won and lost as the horses tire. An exciting finish to the Worlds most famous horse race is inevitable.Aintree Grand National Facts
-The fastest time of all Grand National runners was 8m47.8s by Mr Frisk in 1990. -The Aintree Grand National is such a spectacle people travel to Liverpool from all over the World to see it for their own eyes. Over 3,000 caterers make sure there is enough food to go around. -Over 75 ground staff spend a month preparing the fences before the Aintree Festival starts. The spruce which tops the fences is transported from the Lake District. -Today the number of Grand National runners is restricted to 40 for safety reasons but the biggest field occurred in 1929 when 66 runners took place, a record for any horse race ever. The smallest field was in 1883 with only ten Grand National runners.
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