Grand National Grand National The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. First run in 1839, it is a handicap steeplechase over with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2017. An event that is prominent in British culture, the race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year. The course over which the race is run features much larger fences than those
1836 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase present course record. The race was a selling race and its status as an official Grand National was revoked some time between 1862 and 1873. The race was started at 2pm over a course almost identical to the modern Grand National course, although the fences were all no more than high earth banks with the exceptions of two brooks and a water jump in front of the stands. Despite this at least three of the runners had to be put at the first fence for a second time after refusing. None of the ten riders are known to have been