The Grand National Course

The Grand National course is renowned for its fences – 30 t0 be jumped in total over 4 miles, 2.5 furlongs. 

There are almost two complete circuits of the course and most of the fences are jumped twice. Some of the fences have become almost as famous as the race!

JUMPS

1 & 17

4ft 6in high

2 & 18

4ft 7in high

3 & 19

Open Ditch – 5ft high, 10ft 6in spread

4 & 20

4ft 10in high

5 & 21

5ft high

6 & 22

Becher’s Brook – ditch behind 4ft 10in fence

The most famous fence in the world, Becher’s Brook is named after Captain Martin Becher, the rider who came off Conrad into the brook in the first Grand National of 1839. He is meant to have remarked later that water should not be ingested without brandy or whisky depending on whose account you read. The famous drop (the difference in height between the level of the ground on take-off and landing sides) was reduced after the 2011 Grand National to between 10in (inner) and 6in (outer). Nine horses fell, refused or were brought down on the first circuit in 2004, while 20-time champion jump jockey Tony McCoy, who won the Grand National for the first time in 2010, was six lengths clear on the well-fancied Clan Royal in 2005, when carried out by two loose horses before Becher’s on the second circuit.

7 & 23

Foinavon – 4ft 6in high

This is the joint-smallest standard Grand National fence. Foinavon became part of Aintree folklore in 1967 when the riderless Popham Down veered across the whole field approaching it on the second circuit, bringing down or halting virtually all the remaining runners from the 44 starters. Jockey John Buckingham was able to steer backmarker Foinavon around the pile-up and jump the fence. The pair went on to record a 100/1 surprise, winning by 15 lengths.

8 & 24

Canal Turn – 5ft high

Visually one of the most impressive sights in the Grand National, the 90-degree turn after the Canal Turn can cause jockeys a host of problems, especially if there are loose horses. Situated where the racecourse meets the Leeds-Liverpool canal, the obstacle has been the downfall of plenty, most notably in 2001 when the riderless Paddy’s Return forced 10 horses out of the race.

9 & 25

Valentine’s – ditch behind 5ft fence

Regarded as the lesser of the two brook fences on the Grand National course and not as tricky as Becher’s, Valentine’s still requires a good jump from a horse, especially as it is situated after the Canal Turn. The fence is named after Valentine, who attempted to pull himself up at the obstacle in 1840, only to pirouette over the fence and brook before going on to finish third behind Jerry and Arthur.

10 & 26

5ft high

11 & 27

Open Ditch – 5ft high, 10ft spread

12 & 28

Ditch behind 5ft fence

13 & 29

4ft 7in high

14 & 30

4ft 6in high

15

The Chair – open ditch in front of 5ft 2in high fence, 11ft spread

One of only two fences to be jumped only once, alongside the Water Jump, The Chair is the biggest fence on the National course at 5ft 2in, with a ditch on the take-off side. The obstacle was named after a chair which was situated next to the fence, from where a judge used to see if any horses had been beaten by a distance.

16

The Water Jump – 2ft 6in high, 12ft 6in spread.

Situated in front of the stands, the Water Jump is the only fence on the Grand National course to be less than 4ft 6in high and to have water on the landing side. Very few horses have fallen here and the fence is perceived by jockeys as the easiest obstacle to negotiate, though four horses fell down in 1968 including the previous year’s winner Foinavon. Waterlogging meant that the fence had to be omitted for the first and only time in 1955.

 

Congratulations! You have found the purple egg for the Great Grand National Easter Egg Hunt! Click on the egg to take you to the Prize Draw competition, to be in with winning a fabulous prize!

All fences over the Grand National course can be bypassed, as indicated on the course map. Bypassing also provides a run-out for loose horses and discourages them from jumping further fences when loose. This is further complemented by catching pens for loose horses at the fourth fence, the Canal Turn and the 12th fence. If a fence is to be bypassed, course staff will place markers in the fence which is to be omitted. Bypassing of fences is a very important welfare measure which allows veterinary and medical personnel to make a diagnosis or treatment in safety and further protects participants still running in the race.

Red Dot – Winning Post

A = Grand National Steeplechase Start; distance – 4 miles 2.5 furlongs

B = Foxhunters’ Steeplechase, Topham Steeplechase and Grand Sefton Steeplechase Start; distance – 2 miles 5 furlongs

C = Becher Steeplechase Start; distance – 3 miles 2 furlongs

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