The Grand National

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There are 16 fences that the horses have to clear, 14 of which are jumped twice. The Chair and the water obstacles are omitted on the second trip around the track. Some of the jumps, particularly Becher’s Brook and The Chair, are widely known for their difficulty. Due to pressure from animal rights groups, the severity of the jumps has been modified.

Horse Racing historians disagree about when the first Grand National was held. Some contend that the first race was staged in 1836, while others claim the initial running was in 1939. The Duke won the 1836 and 1837 races and Sir William captured the 1838 running. Lottery won in 1939.

During World War I Aintree Racecourse was closed for three years so an alternative race was run at Gatwick Racecourse. The first race in 1916 was called the Racecourse Association Steeplechase. The next two years it was called the War National Steeplechase. Those races are not always recognized as a Grand National and sometimes their results are left off the winner’s lists.

Red Run is the most successful of Grand National horses. He won in 1973, 1974 and 1977 and finished second in 1975 and 1976. Red Run remains the only horse in history to have won three Grand National races.

In 1993, Pittman trained Esha Ness appeared to be the winner, but that race was declared “void” because some of the runners failed to be called back after a false start.

Numbersixvalverde, a 10-year-old, ridden by Niall Madden and trained by Martin Brassil, won the 2006 Grand National.

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