2013 Grand National to modifications made for the previous year's race, Aintree announced that a number of further changes had been made for the 2013 National. Twelve of the 16 fences on the course were rebuilt with the timber frames within them replaced by a softer material known as "plastic birch". The fences are still covered with at least 14 inches of spruce and will remain the same height. The starting line was also moved 90 yards closer to the first fence, further away from the spectators' stands and thereby reducing slightly the overall distance. Aintree and the Professional Jockeys' Association jointly issued
Grand National counts the number of horse deaths over the three-day meeting from the year 2000 to 2013 at 40. In 2009, the race sponsors John Smith's launched a poll to determine five personalities to be inducted into the inaugural "Grand National Legends" initiative. The winners were announced on the day of the 2010 Grand National and inscribed on commemorative plaques at Aintree. They were: A panel of experts also selected three additional legends: In 2011, nine additional legends were added: John Smith's also added five "people's legends" who were introduced on Liverpool Day, the first day of the Grand National meeting.