Grand National 2022: Potential Landmarks to Look Out For!

The Randox Health Grand National is unique – the race of dreams and creator of legends. Therefore, it is no surprise that the Randox Health Grand National receives more attention around the world than any other horse race.

Since the inaugural running at Aintree Racecourse way back in 1839, when Lottery had his name etched first on the exalted roll of honour, victory in the Grand National has been the pinnacle of ambition for owners, trainers and jockeys.

Actors, aristocrats, businesspeople, comedians, coiffeurs, celebrities, moguls, politicians, pop stars, sporting heroes, Kings, Queens and Princes have all tried for glory, but only a fortunate few have succeeded.

It is one of the biggest tests for racehorse and rider who have to complete two circuits of the iconic Grand National course – with 30 fences to be jumped as four miles, two furlongs and about 74 yards are covered.

Famous landmarks around the course are an integral part of the Grand National experience; with the fences such as Becher’s Brook, the Canal Turn, Valentine’s and The Chair so well known to the millions who watch the race at Aintree or on television each year.

Familiar phrases of commentators such as “crossing the Melling Road” are built into people’s subconscious, while races are frequently won and lost as contenders navigate the ‘Elbow’, with the winning post in sight.

Many are the reversals of fortune on the long run-in from the final fence to the line, as the last reserves of stamina ebb away and the chance of immortality is lost.

Devon Loch’s inexplicable faltering in the 1956 Grand National, a mere 50 yards from a famous victory for his owner, The Queen Mother, serves as a constant reminder that the race is often decided in the closing stages.

And there is nothing quite like the sensation of expectation as the 40-strong field for the Randox Health Grand National is cajoled into a fair line, ahead of the dash to the first fence.

Whether at Aintree or at home watching the ITV television coverage, a general hush falls while the starter calls the runners forward. And a huge roar is heard as the most anticipated race begins.

The excitement tumbles and hurtles throughout the nine minutes of breath-taking action and often afterwards.

Betting slips or thoughts, carefully clutched or pondered on, are not to be fully celebrated until the result has been officially announced. Replays are avidly studied to determine what happened and where to each of the runners and riders.

At 5.15pm on Saturday 9th April 2022, the scheduled off-time of the Randox Health Grand National, million in Britain and plenty more around the world stop everything for the next quarter of an hour.

Whether a regular racegoer or once a year punter, interest in the Randox Health Grand National is such that it is easily the biggest single turnover betting event each year, and the most anticipated.

Regular punters and the annually curious can take a financial interest in one of Britain’s 7,000 or so off course betting shops, over the telephone, through the Internet, on their smartphone or at Aintree Racecourse itself.

Not only is the great race compellingly demanding but it can also be financially rewarding.

Prize money of £1 million is again on offer for those who compete in the 174th running of the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree in 2022, with money on offer stretching down to the 10th home. It is by far the highest amount of money that any chase can boast.

There are 150,000-plus racegoers at Aintree during the three days of the Randox Health Grand National Festival, while the live British television audience numbers nearly 10 million, with more than 600 million worldwide seeing the action.

Every Grand National seems to have an uncanny ability to produce a fascinating back story and is often accurately referred to as the “People’s Race”. It was no surprise that a survey of Britons undertaken by equine welfare charity The Brooke in 2006 saw the greatest Grand National hero of all, three-time winner Red Rum, named as the best-known horse of any kind. This recognition came despite his passing 11 years earlier at the age of 30, in 1995, and 29 years after his third victory in 1977. He was a comfortable 12 per cent clear of the second best-known horse – the fictional Black Beauty.

Only last year a monumental piece of history was made when Rachael Blackmore partnered Minella Times to victory, crowning her as the first female jockey to succeed in the great race. This amazing achievement saw her earn the BBC Sports Personality’s World Sport Star of the Year for 2021.

Aintree takes its name from the Anglo Saxon “One Tree” and what was once a small village now forms part of the city of Liverpool – a great metropolis like no other and no venue more appropriate for such a unique contest.

William Lynn, proprietor of Liverpool’s Waterloo Hotel, was the man who founded Aintree Racecourse and first thought of staging the Grand National. Sadly, he endured ill health up to his death in 1870 but he can be truly proud of his creation – a unique and iconic British sporting institution.

POTENTIAL LANDMARKS IN THE 2022 RANDOX GRAND NATIONAL

• Gigginstown House Stud, successful with Rule The World (2016) and Tiger Roll (2018 & 2019) could attempt to become the first owner to win the Grand National four times. Its 2022 entries are Alpha Des Obeaux, Death Duty, Samcro, Defi Bleu, Delta Work, Battleoverdoyen, Farclas, Run Wild Fred and Coko Beach.
• Trainer Gordon Elliott, successful with Silver Birch (2007) plus Tiger Roll (2018 & 2019), could attempt to win a record-equalling fourth Grand National. His 2022 entries are Alpha Des Obeaux, Death Duty, Samcro, Mortal, Delta Work, Definite Plan, Battleoverdoyen, Smoking Gun, Farclas, Run Wild Fred, Mount Ida, Coko Beach and Escaria Ten
• Four Grand National winners have been trained by women. Female trainers with entries this year are Polly Gundry (Santini), Emma Lavelle (De Rasher Counter, Éclair Surf), Lucinda Russell (Mighty Thunder), Jessica Harrington (Discordantly), Venetia Williams (Commodore, Achille, Didero Vallis) and Nicky Martin (The Two Amigos).
• Nigel Twiston-Davies, successful with Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002), is bidding to become eighth trainer to win the race three times. His entries are Goodboy Bobby and The Hollow Ginge.
• Trainers with entries seeking a second win are Kim Bailey, Martin Brassil, Henry de Bromhead, Willie Mullins, Jonjo O’Neill, David Pipe, Lucinda Russell, Ted Walsh and Venetia Williams.
• 13 mares have won the Grand National. Agusta Gold, Court Maid, Mount Ida and Snow Leopardess could bid to become the 14th in 2022. If any are successful, they would be the first for 71 years – Nickel Coin was the last mare to succeed in 1951.
• Farclas, Commodore, Coko Beach, Achille, Caribean Boy and Snow Leopardess could bid to become the fourth grey Grand National winner after The Lamb (1868 and 1871), Nicolaus Silver (1961) and Neptune Collonges (2012).
• 28 Grand National winners have been trained in Ireland. 35 of the remaining 73 entries are trained in Ireland.
• Two Grand National winners have been trained in Scotland. Scotland could be represented this year by Lucinda Russell (Mighty Thunder) and Sandy Thomson (Dingo Dollar and Hill Sixteen).
• Only one Grand National winner has been trained in Wales. The Welsh trainers with entries in 2022 are Evan Williams (Secret Reprieve), Christian Williams (Potters Corner), Peter Bowen (Mac Tottie) and David Brace (Pink Eyed Pedro).