The Greatest Show on Turf

As spring arrives and the evenings start to get lighter, the UK’s most watched and often most dramatic of races is upon us.

The 2024 Randox Grand National will take place at Aintree at 4pm on Saturday 13th April. It will be shown live on ITV1. The iconic race never fails to provide a breathtaking sporting spectacle and the now traditional pre-race conundrum of trying to pick the winner.

History

The Grand National was founded by William Lynn who was a syndicate head and the proprietor of the Waterloo Hotel in Edinburgh. He leased the land in Aintree from William Molyneux, the 2nd Earl of Sefton. Lynn set out the course and built a grandstand, and Lord Sefton laid the foundation stone on February 7th, 1829. There is much debate regarding the first official Grand National with historians believing that the first running was in 1836 and was won by ‘The Duke’ and it also won in 1837. ‘Sir William’ was the winner in 1838. However, these races have long been disregarded because of the belief that they took place at Maghull and not Aintree. 

From 1838 to 1839 three significant events occurred to transform the race from a small local affair to a national event. Firstly, the Great St. Albans Chase, which had clashed with the steeplechase at Aintree, was not renewed after 1838, leaving a major gap in the chasing calendar. Secondly the railway line that opened from Manchester to Liverpool in 1830 was linked to a line from London and Birmingham. This enabled rail transport to the Liverpool area from large parts of the country for the first time. Finally, a committee was formed to organise and properly publicise the event and this attracted a much larger field of top-quality horses, resulting in a significant increase in attendance. 

Over time, the first three runnings of the event have been disregarded, which provides the 1839 race with its place in history as the first official Grand National.

The 1839 race was won by the rather aptly named horse ‘Lottery’, with jockey Jem Mason on board. ‘Conrad’ was ridden by Captain Martin Becher. The fence Becher’s Brook is named after him as it’s where he took shelter after his mount fell there. 

The Grand National is a handicap race, meaning the horses will carry different weights depending on their ability. The top-rated runner will carry a weight of 11st 12lb, with the lowest rated carrying 10st 2lb. 

Picking a winner

Easier said than done of course! However, with the race fast approaching many of us will start the process of trying to solve what is probably the most difficult puzzle in the sporting calendar. So here are a few things that you might want to consider.

Staying power

Your horse will obviously have to stay the distance, i.e. have the stamina to last the gruelling distance of 4 miles two and a half furlongs, so it’s no coincidence that only two novice chasers (who were potentially unexposed to the handicapper) have won in recent years. ‘Rule The World’ (2016) and ‘Noble Yeats’ (2022). The weights are released in February – something that helped last year’s winner ‘Corach Rambler’, who was incredibly well handicapped carrying just 10st 5lbs having won at Cheltenham the previous month which meant his rating was due to increase by a further 10lbs.

Preparation

Most of the winners in recent years have had at least four runs in preparation for the big race, so ideally look for something that has run in the last two months.

Performance

Horses that have an overall rating of at least 136 are statistically good news, as inexperience counts for little in such a demanding race – so only the brave would back a novice. Also, a horse who hasn’t fallen more than twice in their career.

Age

History suggests that ideally you should look for a horse in its prime aged between 7 & 10.

Here are a few selections that are being talked about (and backed) ante post:

Corach Rambler 5/1

Trainer: Lucinda Russell

Age: 8

Career Highlights: 1st in 2023 Grand National, 1st Ultima Handicap Chase 2022 & 2023 

Overall Rating: 159

Weight: 11st 2lb

Vanillier 9/1

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell

Age: 8

Career Highlights: 3rd in 2023 Grand National, 1st Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle 2021 

Overall Rating: 150

Weight: 10st 8lb

Hewick 16/1

Trainer: John Joseph Hanlon

Age: 9

Career Highlights: 1st 2022 American Grand National & 1st 2023 King George

Overall Rating: 169

Weight: 11st 12lb

I Am Maximus 9/1

Trainer: Willie Mullins

Age: 7 

Career Highlights: 1st 2023 Irish Grand National

Overall Rating: 164

Weight: 11st 2lb

Nassalam 33/1

Trainer: Gary Moore

Age: 7

Career Highlights: 1st 2023 Welsh Grand National 

Overall Rating: 161

Weight: 11st 4lb

The Great Debate: Is the Grand National cruel to horses?

Last years race was somewhat overshadowed by animal rights protesters who, by using ladders, managed to scale the course barricades and attempted to stop the race – some even tried to glue and lock themselves to fences. Merseyside Police later confirmed that 118 people had been arrested for public order offences and for trying to delay the race. When the race eventually started after being delayed by 15 minutes, Hill Sixteen fell at the first fence and sadly died after breaking his neck. 

 YES

As one of the longest and most hazardous races in the world, the high-risk factor is arguably the main reason why it has become so famous. Almost every year, horses are injured or killed during the three-day festival, sustaining horrific and often fatal injuries at notorious fences such as The Chair, Becher’s Brook, and The Canal Turn.

These excessively high obstacles put tremendous pressure on their slender front legs. They risk broken legs, necks, and backs. Since 2010, the death toll has continued to rise, 36 horses have died at the Grand National Festival.

The PETA Foundation (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), which is dedicated to protecting the rights of all animals, believe that animals are not ‘ours‘ therefore should not be used for entertainment purposes.

PETA also state that even those who make it off the track alive are likely to suffer, as thousands of horses who don’t ‘make the grade’ are discarded like used betting slips every year.

BBC Panorama’s documentary ‘The Dark Side of Horse Racing’ revealed that thousands of horses used for racing in the UK and Ireland are sent to the abattoir every year.

In 2020, studies at the University of Melbourne, Australia, revealed that horses feel as much pain as humans would when whipped.

NO

First and foremost, owners will tell you that racehorses generally have good lives; sleeping securely in sunny fields, playing with their peers and engaging in the primal joy of racing each other around fields and experiencing the communal bliss of grazing; benefiting from well-balanced diets and human protection from predators and diseases. Veterinary and dental support is also available whenever injuries occur.

Following an annual review, the Grand National organisers have made a number of safety related changes:     

• The field has been reduced from 40 horses to a maximum of 34.

• The first fence will be moved back towards the start by 60 yards to reduce the speed that the horses will arrive at it.

• A standing start and an earlier off time of 4pm – which should improve the likelihood of good ground.

• Trimming the 11th fence by two inches.

 • Ramping up pre-race veterinary and eligibility checks.