Horse racing is a beloved sport all over the world, and few events capture the public imagination like the Aintree Grand National. The race is a true spectacle, attracting thousands of spectators and millions of viewers on television. In this article, we will explore the history of the Aintree Grand National, its significance, and what makes it such a special event.
The History of Aintree Grand National
The Aintree Grand National is an annual horse race that takes place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The race was first run in 1839, and it has been a fixture of the British sporting calendar ever since. The race is run over a distance of 4 miles and 514 yards, and it features 30 fences that the horses must jump over. The course is considered to be one of the most challenging in the world of horse racing.
Aintree Grand National Course
The Aintree Grand National course is one of the most challenging and unique courses in the world of horse racing. The course is 4 miles and 514 yards long and features 30 fences that the horses must jump over. The fences are some of the most difficult in horse racing, and they include Becher’s Brook, The Chair, and The Canal Turn. The fences are designed to test both the skill of the jockey and the bravery of the horse.
The Significance of the Aintree Grand National
The Aintree Grand National is one of the most significant events in the world of horse racing. The race attracts thousands of spectators to Aintree Racecourse and millions of viewers on television. The race is known for its history, its unique course, and the excitement and drama that it generates.
Famous Winners of the Aintree Grand National
Over the years, there have been many famous winners of the Aintree Grand National. Some of the most famous winners include Red Rum, who won the race three times in the 1970s, and Tiger Roll, who won the race in 2018 and 2019. Other notable winners include Foinavon, who won the race in 1967 at odds of 100/1, and Aldaniti, who won the race in 1981 after recovering from a career-threatening injury.
Betting on the Aintree Grand National
Betting on the Aintree Grand National is a popular pastime for many people. The race attracts a lot of betting interest, and there are many different types of bets that you can place. Some of the most popular bets include the win bet, where you bet on the horse you think will win the race, and the each-way bet, where you bet on a horse to finish in the top four.
The Jockeys of the Aintree Grand National
The jockeys who ride in the Aintree Grand National are some of the best in the world. They are skilled riders who must navigate the difficult course and the challenging fences. Some of the most famous jockeys to ride in the Aintree Grand National include Tony McCoy, who won the race in 2010, and Racheal Blackmore who won it as the first woman jockey to do so in 2021.
Picking A Winner
Picking the winner of the Grand National is notoriously difficult with the fences being some of the biggest in racing and over 40 runners to choose from, not to mention unseated riders and loose horses affecting the outcome, but the horse must stay the over 4-mile trip and jump all the fences too.
There is a formula many punters use based on previous winners
Positive Trends
- Horses aged 8 or older have the best recent record
- 12 of the last 14 winners were having their first run in the race
- Horses that had won or finished placed in a National race of any description (Look at Scottish, Irish & Welsh Nationals)
- Look for horses that raced over hurdles at some point earlier that season
- Horses that like to be ridden up with the pace in their races often do well (avoid horses that like to be held up)
- Irish-trained horses have a great recent record in the Grand National – winning 4 of the last 5 runnings.
- Irish-bred horses have the best recent Grand National record
- Look for horses that finished unplaced in the previous season’s Grand National – they often do well
- Horses that have won over 3 miles in the past are a virtual ‘must-have’
Negative Trends
- Horses aged 8 or younger don’t have the best of records – the last 7-year-old to win before Noble Yeats was in 1940
- Horses aged 13 or older don’t have a great Grand National winning record
- Runners that have fallen or unseated three or more times often don’t run well
- Past Grand National winners and previous Grand National placed horses have bad returning records – although, the 2018 Grand National winner, Tiger Roll, did buck this trend in 2019
- Horses that had last raced over 50 days ago often don’t run well
- Runners that had hard races at the Cheltenham Festival, run the previous month, don’t fare well.
Conclusion
The race is one of the most famous for a reason, steeped in history and an exciting spectacle to witness, you simply don’t love horse racing if you don’t love the national.
Whatever you pick for the Grand National good luck with it, and don’t forget we have our very own horse racing tipsters who will be trying their hand at getting you the winner so why not check them out?