How Many Jumps Are There In The Grand National
The Grand National fences are arguably the most famous horse racing steeplechases in the world. Dating back to 1829, racing over fences at Aintree Racecourse has evolved over the years, proving to be one of the most challenging tests, over distance, for runners and riders.
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World War I (1916-1918) Funnily enough, for this three-year stint people had more important things going on in their lives than a horse race. The First World War era as the first time in nearly 80 years that the Grand National had to be cancelled, with Aintree doubling up as a base for the War Office during the conflict with Germany. This is the water jump and is a long jump rather than a high jump. This will often catch a horse unaware after jumping the chair but does not bring down that many horses. It is one of the two grand national fences which is only jumped once on the first circuit. After all this heartache they then have to. The Grand National is a handicap race, with weights ranging upward to 12 stone 7 pounds (175 pounds). The weights, the distance, and the big jumps demand horses of prodigious strength and stamina and usually of more than normal size. 30 Jumps – 16 Fences. The Grand National is renowned for being one of the most difficult horse races in the world. The gruelling four and a half mile course has 30 jumps of varying difficultly for the brave jockeys and horses to navigate. Around 60% of the horses that start the race will not make it past the finishing post, and for the first horse over the last fence a 494 yard marathon run-in awaits.
HOW MANY FENCES ARE IN THE GRAND NATIONAL?In total there are 16 fences on the Grand National course, 14 of which are jumped twice along the four mile, two and half furlong distance, which is the longest Jump racing distance in the UK.
The fences used to be constructed from natural thorn hedges and were known as ‘thorn fences’. However, they are now created from Sitka or Norway spruce, which is brought down from the Lake District, and it is weaved into plastic birch structure which provides flexibility should a runner make a mistake at the jump. It takes the Aintree Groundstaff team three weeks to build the fences from 16 lorry-loads of spruce prior to the Grand National Festival.
Each of the 16 Grand National fences are jumped twice, with the exception of The Chair and the Water Jump. They are jumped on the first circuit only. You can take a jockey’s eye view of the Grand National fences via the video below.
There are many well-known fences at Aintree including Becher’s Brook, Canal Turn and Valentine’s, all of which provide different tests for the runners and rider. Each fence varies in height, with the lowest measuring at 4ft 6” and the highest, The Chair, at 5ft 2” which also has a 5ft wide ditch on the take-off side.
the fences explained- 1 & 17 4ft 6in high, 2ft 9in wide
The first fence marks the start of the Grand National race and is in fact one of the smallest on the course. It is parallel to the Embankment, the large slope to the right of the course which houses 13,000 racegoers, all eager to see the horses begin their trip over the fences. This is a ‘settling’ fence and helps the runners and riders find their stride at the beginning of the race.
- 2 & 18 4ft 7in high, 3ft 6in wide
- 3 & 19 – Open Ditch
- 5ft high, 10ft 6” (total length with ditch and fence)
This is the first of three open ditch fences on the course, this being on the take-off side and measuring 7ft wide.
How Many Jumps In The Grand National 2019
At 5ft high, it is also known as ‘Westhead’ after the late Steve Westhead who was one of Aintree’s fence builders and worked at Aintree Racecourse in the 1970s.
- 4 & 20 4ft 10in high, 3ft wide
- 5 & 21 5ft high, 3ft 6in wide
The landing side was levelled in 2013.
- 6 & 22 - Becher’s Brook 4ft 10” high, 7ft 6” wide
The most famous fence in the Grand National race is named after Captain Martin Becher who landed in the ditch after being unseated by Conrad in the first official Grand National race in 1839.
This fence has been remodelled several times, with the drop on the landing side levelled in the 1990s and again after the 2011 Grand National race.
- 7 & 23 – Foinavon Fence 4ft 6in high, 3ft wide
This otherwise ordinary fence became extraordinary in 1967, when Fionavon was the only horse to successfully jump the fence after multiple horses shied and caused chaos on the course, going from last place to win the race.
- 8 & 24 – Canal Turn 5ft high, 7ft wide
This fence gets its name from the nearby Leeds-Liverpool canal and is noted for the sharp, 90-degree, left-hand turn that the runners have to take as soon as they have jumped the fence.
- 9 & 25 – Valentine’s Brook 5ft high, 7ft wide
With a 5ft 6in brook on the landing side, this fence was originally known as Second Brook, but was renamed after a horse called Valentine was said to have jumped it hind legs first in 1840.
- 10 & 26 5ft high, 3ft wide
- 11 & 27 – Open Ditch fence 5ft high, 10ft spread
This is the fence where red-hot favourite, Golden Miller fell after refusing to jump in the 1935 Grand National race. He won in record time in the previous year, 1934, and became the first horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National race in the same season.
- 12 & 28 5ft high, with a 5ft 6in ditch on the landing side
Also known as ‘Booth’ after the late John Booth, which was the foreman of Aintree’s maintenance team in the 1970s.
- 13 & 29 4ft 7in high, 3ft wide
This fence had its landing side smoothed out prior to 2013.
- 14 & 30 4ft 6in high
Although few horses fail here, it may lead them into a false sense of security before facing The Chair.
- 15 – The Chair
The highest fence in the race at 5ft 2”, The Chair has a 5ft ditch before the fence and a raised landing side. Jumped only on the first circuit, it’s named after the chair the distance judge used to sit in to gauge the official distance between the winner and the runners behind. These horses were classed as ‘beaten by a distance’, with a ‘distance’ being more than forty lengths.
The original ‘chair’ is now located on a podium in the Red Rum Garden at Aintree Racecourse.
- 16 – Water Jump 2ft 6in high
The final fence on the first circuit is the lowest of the 16 fences. It has a wide stretch of water on the landing side and was first introduced in 1841, replacing a stone wall which was, at the time, 16ft wide!
The Grand National – FAQ’s
The Grand National is almost upon us, and you’re running out of time to brush up on your knowledge. Not to worry though, as the Racing Post has compiled a list of your most frequently asked questions, and answered them for you. This guide is the only thing you’ll need to make the most out of this years Aintree Festival.
How many horses have died at the Grand National?
There have been 11 deaths at the Grand National since 2000, although there have been none since the 2012 running.
Who has won the Grand National?
Red Rum is perhaps the most famous winner as he won the race three times in the 1970s. Tiger Roll won the 2018 Grand National.
How many people go to the Grand National?
Over 150,000 people attend the three-day meeting, with Grand National day itself regularly a sell-out.
How many horses died at Cheltenham?
Three horses died at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival.
Why do racehorses get put down?
It is difficult for a horse’s leg to heal when a significant injury occurs. Given the weight of a horse, it is difficult for them to absorb that on only three fully working legs.
Who won the 2017 Grand National?
One For Arthur won the 2017 Grand National for trainer Lucina Russell and jockey Derek Fox.
When did Mr Frisk win?
Mr Frisk won the Grand National in 1990.
Who won the first Grand National?
The first Grand National was held in 1839 and won by Lottery.
How many jumps are there in the Grand National?
Horses have to jump 30 fences during the Grand National.
What time is the main race?
The main race at the Grand National festival is the Grand National itself. It takes place on the Saturday of the three-day meeting at 5.15pm.
What is the oldest horse to win the Grand National?
Peter Simple, aged 15, is the oldest horse to win. He won the race in 1853.
What date is the 2019 Grand National?
The 2019 Grand National is to take place at Aintree on April 6.
Who finished the 2018 Grand National?
Tiger Roll finished first and led home 11 other horses who completed the course. Pleasant Company was second, Bless The Wings third, Anibale Fly fourth, Milansbar fifth and Road To Riches sixth.
How long is the Grand National?
The Grand National is run over 4m21/2f.
How many horses die each year?
There have been 11 deaths at the Grand National since 2000, although there have been none since the 2012 running.
How many jockeys die each year?
Jockey deaths are extremely rare.
Wh0 won the 2017 Grand National?
One For Arthur won the 2017 Grand National for trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox.
Who won the 2008 Grand National?
Comply Or Die won the 2008 Grand National for trainer David Pipe and jockey Timmy Murphy.
How many horses start the Grand National?
A maximum of 40 horses can start the Grand National. There is almost always a full field for the race.
How much do you get for winning the Grand National?
The first prize for winning this year’s Grand National is £500,000.
What is the first fence in the Grand National called?
The first fence does not have a famous name associated with it like Becher’s Brook. It is a thorn fence, 4f 6in high, 2ft 9in wide.
Which jockey has won the most Grand Nationals?
George Stevens in the most successful jockey in the history of the Grand National. He won the race five times between 1856 and 1870.
What year did the Grand National get cancelled?
The Grand National was cancelled in 1993, the only time the race was declared void after 30 of the 39 runners began and carried on racing, despite a false start. Esha Ness won the race that never counted.
How Many Jumps Are There In The Grand National Race
Is the Grand National on TV?
The Grand National will be shown on ITV and Racing TV.
Is the Grand National on the radio?
BBC Radio 5 Live will be providing live coverage from Aintree between 12pm and 8pm, including dedicated Grand National coverage from 5pm-5.30pm.
Is the Grand National online?
You can bet and stream the race live on the Racing Post website and mobile app.
Is the Grand National on BBC?
The BBC does not broadcast the race on television but will cover the race on radio.
How to watch the Grand National
ITV and Racing TV will show the race live, while you can also stream and bet on the race on the Racing Post website and mobile app.
How to bet on the Grand National
You can stream and bet on the race on the Racing Post website and mobile app.
How much is the Grand National prize-money?
The 2019 Grand National is worth £1milion in prize-money, with the winner collecting £500,000.
How much are Grand National tickets?
Most enclosures are sold out for the 2019 Grand National. Tickets are still available in the Steeplechase enclosure for £35. Tickets can be purchased here.
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Why is the Grand National at Aintree?
The Grand National was first run at Aintree in 1839 and has remained there ever since. A substitute event was held at another racecourse, Gatwick, for three years during World War I, now the site of London Gatwick Airport. The races at Gatwick were not called the Grand National.
When is Aintree ladies’ day?
The 2019 ladies’ day at Aintree is on Friday, April 5
When are the Grand National runners confirmed?
The Grand National field is confirmed on Thursday, April 4 at the 48-hour declaration stage.
Who is the Grand National favourite?
Tiger Roll is the favourite for the 2019 Grand National. He bids to become the first horse since Red Rum to win the race in consecutive years.
When will my Grand National tickets arrive?
Contact Aintree racecourse if your tickets have not arrived nearer the time of the race.
Can you walk the Grand National course?
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It is possible to walk the course if you book a place on the Grand National course tour. Visit Aintree’s website for more details.