Grand National History

A PIECE OF GRAND NATIONAL HISTORY.

The GRAND NATIONAL was the brainchild of a Mr. WILLIAM LYNN the early 19th century but it wasn’t until 1847 when it got the title of THE GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE. Since that time it has come through two world wars to more recent times with bomb threats and other obstacles but has still managed to take place.

Many great horses have achieved historical facts in the GRAND NATIONAL but two of those horses that caught my attention were the great GOLDEN MILLER and PETER SIMPLE.

GOLDEN MILLER because he won the GRAND NATIONAL and CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP in the same year 1934. Only horse to date to achieve this.

PETER SIMPLE because of his age which was a staggering 15 years old.

Aintree has had many changes through the decades, some national hunt purists say to the detriment of the GRAND NATIONAL but with times changing and welfare for both horses and jockeys being a topical subject something had to be done. The Aintree course has been sculpted into what it is today with all relevant bodies being contacted for their viewpoints. The fences are not built as tight and the landing side of some fences have been elevated so horse and jockey can complete the course with relevant safety.

Aintree has two left handed courses the smaller of the two is THE MILDMAY at one and half mile round it is used for all fixtures at Aintree and in its own right takes a lot of jumping.( With the hurdles course on the outer and chase course on the inner.)

The other course is the GRAND NATIONAL course two and a quarter miles round hence two circuits of this fabulous course makes it the most gruelling test for both horse and rider. After jumping all of the 32 fences both horse and jockey might think they have done the business but up pops the longest run-in of all courses and only that they have an elbow to negotiate and many a horse has lost the race on this run-in.