John Smiths Grand National

4.15 Aintree: The John Smith’s Grand National Steeple Chase (Grade 3) (4m3f110y))

The centrepiece of the three-day meeting at Aintree is the Grand National, which has been run since 1839 and is widely regarded as the greatest horse race in the world. It takes place over 30 fences and is the ultimate test of both horse and rider. The race is the richest event over jumps in Britain with a prize fund of nearly a million pounds and is watched by an estimated 500 million viewers worldwide in 140 different countries. 70,000 spectators went through the turnstiles last year proving the race is as popular as ever.

The race is steeped in history and many stories have been written about the race and despite several attempts in recent years to stop the race on animal welfare grounds it continues to attract a maximum field of 40 runners and captures the imagination of the British public. The first horse to win the race was called Lottery but Red Rum holds the record of most wins when the locally trained horse trained by Ginger McCain won it in 1973,74 and 77, he was also second in 1975 and 76 making him a true legend of the Grand National and was responsible for keeping the race going when the popularity of the sport was in question during the 1970’s.

These days the race attracts a better quality horse than ever before, the fences have been modified slightly and the rules regarding entries have been tightened up so only decent chasers can run in the National. For punters the race doesn’t get any easier and in recent years we have had winners at 33/1 twice and Mon Mome won at 100/1 in 2009.

Previous Winners

2013: Auroras Encore S.Smith 66/1

2012: Neptune Collonges P.Nicholls 33/1

2011: Ballabriggs D.McCain 14/1

2010: Dont Push It J.O'Neill 10/1jf

2009: Mon Mome V.Williams 100/1

2008: Comply Or Die D.Pipe 7/1jf

2007: Silver Birch G.Elliott 33/1

2006: Numberssixvalverde M.Brassil 11/1

2005: Hedgehunter W.Mullins 7/1f

2004: Amberliegh House G.McCain 16/1