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2018 Grand National: Race History

3 minute read

The Race History of the 2018 Grand National run at Aintree on Saturday is one littered with great moments.

One For Arthur
One For Arthur Picture: Pat Healy Photography

One For Arthur won at good odds last year in the 2018 Grand National (6907m) at Aintree on Saturday.

2018 GRAND NATIONAL - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Grand National is a Grade 3 race run under handicap conditions for National Hunt horses at Aintree race course near Liverpool in England conducted by the Jockey Club.

The Grand National is run over 4m 514y (6097m). It was first run in 1839 and won by Lottery.

The Grand National is a steeplechase for seven year olds and over with a maximum weight of 11st 10lb.

It contains 30 fences through two laps and there are many iconic features to the Grand National course including Becher’s Brook, The Chair and Canal Turn.

During WWI the War Office utilised Aintree so they ran the race at Gatwick although the results are not totally recognised.

Again for WWII Aintree was needed and so from 1941 to 1945 there was no race.

In 1993,the race was declared void after 30 of the 39 runners started despite a false start and seven completed the course, with Esha Ness finishing first.

George Stevens has most wins as a jockey with five in the 1800s while three trainers have four victories. George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain are those.

Red Rum was the famous winner of three Grand Nationals in the 1970s. Ginger McCain trained him with Brian Fletcher winning twice on him and Tommy Stack the other. He was second twice as well.

In the first one in 1973, he scored in one of the greatest races of them all, making up 15 lengths at the last fence, running down the Australian champion Crisp who was carrying 23lbs more, right in the shadows of the post.

Tipperary Tim won in 1928 when 41 out of the 42 runners came down at some stage.

There were 66 runners in the 1929 field and only 10 in 1883.

One of the legends of national hunt racing in the UK, AP McCoy, rode in 20 Nationals which is the equal most along with Richard Johnson. The latter never won it.

The Grand National is worth £1,000,000 in 2018.

Notable winners of the Grand National include Many Clouds (2015), Ballabriggs (2011), Don’t Push It (2010), Mon Mome (2009), Hedgehunter (2005), Rhyme ‘n’ Reason (1988), Red Rum (1973/1974/1977), L’Escargot (1975), Gay Trip (1970), Jay Trump (1965), ESB (1956), Royal Tan (1954), Freebooter (1950), Royal Mail (1937), Reynoldstown (1935/1936), Golden Miller (1934), Manifesto (1897/1899), The Colonel (1869/1870) and Abd-El-Kader (1850/1851).

The 2017 Grand National was won by One For Arthur from Cause Of Causes and Saint Are.


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