Recent Grand National Facts Stories

• 
  2013 Grand National – 10 key trends to consider when analysing the Aintree race20 Mar 2013

  The Aintree Grand National has always been a strong race for trends and punters have used these time and time again to whittle down the field down to a manageable size. With the 2013 version now less than three weeks away, we thought now would be a good time to dig out the key trends in the hope of...

• 
  Grand National runners - Deep Purple looking for birthday win14 Apr 2012

  Deep Purple celebrates his 11th birthday today by running in the Grand National and there is sure to be plenty of support for Evan Williams's runner. Horses are officially given January 1st as a birthday for ratings purposes but Grand National runner Deep Purple was foaled on April 14 2001, making ...

• 
  10 things you never knew about the Grand National10 Apr 2012

  Quirky Grand National stories, trivia and a few facts that could help you find the winner of the world’s greatest steeplechase 1) The first ever Grand National, in 1839, went off two hours later than the scheduled start time due to confusion over weighing procedures. Lottery was the first Grand Nat...

• 
  Grand National - Four Contenders Who Could Steal the Aintree Spotlight4 Apr 2011

  It might be me but this year's Grand National looks more open than is normally the case and I'm struggling to find a winner. One thing looks fairly certain though, that being bookmakers will be squeezing every ounce of value from the ante post market between now and 4.15pm Saturday and, if last ye...

• 
  John Smith’s Grand National Overseas Interest1 Apr 2008

  Throughout its long and distinguished history, the John Smith’s Grand National has attracted overseas interest. The first success for an American owner came in 1923. Sergeant Murphy had been bought by John Sanford, a carpet trader, and given to his son, Stephen, who was then at Cambridge Universi...

• 
  Owners Looking for Success in the Grand National1 Apr 2008

  Legendary Irish owner and punter J P McManus likes to have at least one contestant in the John Smith’s Grand National and he has come close to winning the great race. He had two runners last year, with both the French-trained L’Ami and his best Grand National horse to date, Clan Royal, getting roun...

• 
  John Smith’s Grand National: Amateur Riders1 Apr 2008

  Amateur riders are able to participate in plenty of jump races but must have won at least 15 chases or hurdle races to guarantee a place in the John Smith’s Grand National, although, if early dispensation is sought from the British Horseracing Authority, riders of 10 such winners can be allowed. ...

• 
  Grand National Female Jockeys1 Apr 2008

  Carrie FordCarrie Ford had herself made history when fifth in the feature event at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting in 2005. To complete the Grand National is a feat in itself and, at the age of 33, Carrie Ford became the third woman rider to get around in the John Smith’s Grand National. Sh...

• 
  Robbie Power at the Grand National1 Apr 2008

  Winning the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National on Silver Birch gave his rider Robbie Power a level of self confidence which was not there before. The Irish jockey commented: “The success on Silver Birch at Aintree has made a difference to my life. I have a confidence in big races now as I know if t...

• 
  Grand National Winner: 2007 Silver Birch1 Apr 2008

  As unseasonable sunshine beat down upon the Aintree crowd, Silver Birch lined up for the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National a relatively forgotten 33/1 chance in a maximum field of 40 runners. In the 9 minutes 13.60 seconds it took for him to complete the four and a half miles of the race, the 10-yea...

• 
  Grand National Runners and Finishers1 Apr 2008

  The smallest number of Grand National finishers was two in 1928, when Tipperary Tim beat the remounted Billy Barton by a distance - amazingly, 42 horses started that Grand National. Easter Hero got stuck on top of the Canal Turn fence, putting the majority of the field out of the contest. That numb...

• 
  Grand National History1 Apr 2008

  1839The Grand National was run at Aintree for the first time on Tuesday, February 26 and a horse named Lottery took the honours. Captain Martin Becher was unseated from his mount, Conrad, when leading at the sixth fence on the first circuit and the fence, also the 22nd obstacle when jumped on the...

• 
  The History of the Grand National1 Apr 2008

  The first official races at Aintree were organised by a syndicate, headed by the owner of Liverpool’s Waterloo Hotel, Mr William Lynn. He leased the land from Lord Sefton, set out a course and built a grandstand. Lord Molyneux laid the foundation stone on February 7, 1829 and placed a bottle full o...

• 
  Grand National: Red Rum1 Apr 2008

  It was 35 years ago that Red Rum gained the first of his three Grand National victories, earning him pride of place in racing’s record books. Bred to be a sprinter, Red Rum won the world’s best-known chase in 1973, 1974 and 1977 as well as finishing second on his other two starts to become the grea...

• 
  Grand National: The John Smith’s People’s Race31 Mar 2008

  To most sports fans the thought of playing on the hallowed Wembley turf before an FA Cup Final or driving a Formula One car at Silverstone prior to the British Grand Prix or playing a round of golf at St Andrews on the morning of The Open Championship would be just a dream. At Aintree, those am...