This horse racing spectacle takes place next on the 4th – 6th April 2019. The first Grand National Event ran in February 1839 and consisted of 2 laps over a handicap steeplechase totalling 4 miles or 514 yards, with a total of 30 fences to jump.
Winning the first Grand National was a horse by the name of Lottery, the fences across the course back then were made of stone and part of the course was made up of land that had been freshly ploughed. Lottery ran across the finish line at an almost respectable 5/1 favourite.
The Grand National has seen some great runners over the decades, one of the most successful and famous is Red Rum. Red Rum recorded three victories placing him within the record books.
The race has made some historical figures a lot of cash too. One worthy of note, is a man by the name of Edward Studd. Back in 1866, Edward placed a £1000 bet on a 40/1 horse named Salamander. The £40,000 winnings would equate to around £3 million in today’s world of money. In lesser historical times Joe ‘Mincemeat’ Griffin walked away with £100,000 in prize winnings after placing a good sum on Early Mist, a tip given to him by Vincent O’Brien.
Some of the best outsiders that have come in at the National include several 100/1’s - Mon Mome in 2009, and just a handful of others that date back to the 1920’s.
For more Grant National 2019 predictions check out:
The Ultimate 2019 Grand National Runner Guide