2006 Grand National failed to reach the finishing post. Official BBC coverage of the 2006 Grand National 2006 Grand National The 2006 Grand National (known as the John Smith's Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 159th official annual running of the Grand National steeplechase which took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 8 April 2006 and attracted the maximum permitted field of forty competitors for total prize money of £689,360 including £399,140 to the winner. 11–1 Irish shot Numbersixvalverde, ridden by Niall Madden, won the race, ahead of 5–1 joint-favourite and the previous year's winner Hedgehunter in second place. The other
Great Eastern Steeplechase is the fallen log which is literally a log about a metre high. All other jumps are brush fences. The height of jumps has been reduced in recent years to reduce the risk of falls and make for safer racing. The race uses a different course to other races held at Oakbank with horse using an inner track passing on the inside of a hill. Unlike other races that require two racecallers the Great Eastern can be viewed in its entirety from the grandstand. Great Eastern Steeplechase The Great Eastern Steeplechase is an Australian Thoroughbred steeplechase horse race held annually