Grand National guide: Odds, tips, runners and riders, weights, quiz, TV info, start time, results & supporting card

Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

• When: 5.15pm, Saturday April 10
• Where: Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside
• TV: ITV1 & Racing TV (Sky channel 426)
• Odds: Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook
• Racecard & FREE video form

Grand National tips & features

Grand National best bets

We've pulled together the best win and each-way recommendations from all the Sporting Life and Timeform experts for Saturday's Randox Grand National at Aintree.

Willie Mullins Grand National column

Willie Mullins fields four as he bids to win the Grand National for a second time - get the latest on the team.

Value Bet: Grand National day tips

It's been a series of seconds for Matt Brocklebank on Merseyside this week - don't miss who he's backing in the big one including a Willie Mullins-trained 50/1 chance.

Daryl Jacob: Aintree chances

The leading jockey talks about his rides for the Grand National meeting at Aintree including Bristol De Mai in the feature and why he chose Call Me Lord in the Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle.

Who is the best jumper in the field?

Analyst Graeme North uses Timeform’s unique data to highlight which runners in the Grand National are the best jumpers.

Timeform: Three for Saturday

The gurus at Timeform identify the key players at Aintree on Saturday including rising star My Drogo for trainer Dan Skelton.

Graham Cunningham: Big questions answered

Graham Cunningham returns to the Sporting Life fold and starts with an easy one as he attempts to solve the Randox Grand National puzzle by way of ten key questions.

Timeform: Cap fits the bill

Check out the Timeform view on the greatest steeplechase in the world - the Randox Grand National at Aintree.

Grand National trends guide

Ben Linfoot looks through the last 10 Grand National winners to see who the recent trends point to ahead of the 2021 renewal at Aintree on Saturday.

Worth their weight in Grand National gold

Adam Houghton highlights five famous weight-carrying performances in the Grand National at Aintree.

Grand National course walk & history

Timeform’s chase handicapper Phil Turner provides a fence-by-fence guide to the Grand National and details where the drama has happened over the years.

Cornelius Lysaght: Breakthrough Grand National success awaits

Our reporter considers the possibility and impact of a first National success for a female rider, with Rachael Blackmore, Bryony Frost and Tabitha Worsley gunning for glory this season.

Alex Hammond National shortlist

There are five horses on Alex Hammond's shortlist for Saturday's Randox Grand National - including a 50/1 chance.

Weekend View: National tips

Our man Chris Day has four long-range fancies for Saturday's card including two 40/1 chances in the Randox Grand National.

Grand National Pinsticker's Guide

Ben Linfoot provides an in-depth horse-by-horse guide to the 2021 Randox Grand National at Aintree, complete with star ratings ahead of the April 10 spectacular.

Cornelius Lysaght: National greats

Cornelius Lysaght cherry picks the most iconic Grand Nationals from a timeline beginning in 1839 right up to Tiger Roll and the present day.

Grand National: Our shortlist

The Sporting Life and Timeform teams with the horse currently top of their Randox Grand National shortlist and there's plenty of love for Discorama (pictured below, left).

Grand National: The well-in wanderers

In light of Cloth Cap being a stone well in for the Randox Grand National, Ben Linfoot looks at previous horses to be thrown in at the weights that were beaten.

ITV7 preview and selections

There's £250,000 on offer in this Saturday's free-to-play ITV7 and Dave Smith has the guide you need for the crucial races.

Ben Linfoot: Looking ahead to Aintree

Ben Linfoot looks at Aintree winners that bounced back from defeat at Cheltenham over the last five years and picks out four horses to follow with Liverpool in mind.

Let's talk about... favourite National horses

Our racing team recall some of their favourite horses to have contested the Grand National over the years as our week reminiscing about all things Aintree continues.

Let's talk about... Devon Loch

Devon Loch was the unluckiest Grand National loser of all time in 1956.

Let's talk about... Foinavon

The luckiest winner in Grand National history? 100/1 shot Foinavon emerged from a melee to win in 1967 and we want your recollections of this famous day - as well as your own good-luck stories.

Antepost Angle: Side with Lord Du Mesnil

Matt Brocklebank fancies getting a 66/1 chance on side as he takes an early look at the 2021 Randox Grand National at Aintree.

Grand National videos & Podcasts

Check out all our latest video and audio content ahead of the big race.

When is the 2021 Grand National?

The Randox Grand National is due off at 5.15pm, Aintree Racecourse, on Saturday, April 10.

Where can I watch it?

UK viewers can watch the race on ITV Racing or by subscribing to Racing TV.

ITV1 will be live from 2.00pm until 6.00pm on Thursday and Friday, and 2.00pm until 6.15 on Saturday, showing the five main races each day front by Ed Chamberlin, while The Opening Show - hosted by Oli Bell - will also be aired each morning from 9.00am until 10.30am, and 9.30am until 11.30am on Grand National Saturday.

Richard Hoiles is the ITV commentator and the likes of Matt Chapman, Alice Plunkett, Rishi Persad and Luke Harvey will be joined by National-winning jockeys Sir Anthony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Ruby Walsh (via Zoom).

What is the latest news ahead of Aintree?

You can find all the latest news and features, including declarations, quotes from connections, previews and more, via our racing news index.

Who is the favourite?

Cloth Cap heads the betting for the 2021 Randox Grand National and is highly likely to be sent off a short price to triumph at Aintree for trainer Jonjo O'Neill and owner Trevor Hemmings.

The nine-year-old gelding was an impressive winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy earlier in the season before posting an improved performance when landing a Listed race at Kelso on March 6. As that success north of the border came after the publication of the Grand National weights, he is technically 14lb (a stone) well-in, or 'ahead of the handicapper'.

Others prominent in the antepost market include Any Second Now, Burrows Saint and Minella Times, who is the mount of Rachael Blackmore as she bids to become the first female jockey to win the National in the race's history.

Follow the links below to check out the latest odds and offers with our betting partners.

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook

What is the Aintree Going?

Chase (National Course): Good to Soft

Chase (Mildmay Course): Good to soft

Hurdle (Mildmay Course): Good to soft

Weather: 1.4mm rain overnight Thurs, 0.6mm Wed night. Forecast: Sunny periods on Fri but remaining chilly. Some sunny spells on Sat, with a slight chance of a sleety shower, otherwise forecast dry over the next 2 days.

Watering: 3-5mm Mildmay/Hurdle Wed, selectively applied 3mm to GN Course Wed evening, to maintain. 3mm to Mildmay/Hurdle overnight Thurs, selectively applied 3mm to GN Course Thurs.

Grand National runners and riders

A maximum of 40 horses will line up for the race - here are the final declarations, allotted weights, owners and trainers. There are four reserves.

The reserves come into the race if there are any non-runners before 1.00pm on Friday April 9.

Top 40:

• 1 Bristol de Mai (FR) 10 11 10 Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob
• 2 Chris's Dream (IRE) 9 11 7 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robcour Darragh O'Keeffe
• 3 Yala Enki (FR) 11 11 b3 Paul Nicholls Hills of Ledbury Ltd Bryony Frost
• 4 Ballyoptic (IRE) ts 11 11 1 Nigel Twiston-Davies Mills & Mason Partnership Sam Twiston-Davies
• 5 Definitly Red (IRE) p 12 11 1 Brian Ellison Phil & Julie Martin Henry Brooke
• 6 Lake View Lad (IRE) p 11 11 0 N. W. Alexander Mr Trevor Hemmings Brian Hughes
• 7 Burrows Saint (FR) ts 8 10 13 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci Mr P. W. Mullins
• 8 Magic of Light (IRE) p 10 10 13 Mrs J. Harrington Ireland Ann & Alan Potts Limited Robbie Power
• 9 Acapella Bourgeois (FR) h 11 10 12 W. P. Mullins Ireland Slaneyville Syndicate Daniel Mullins
• 10 Talkischeap (IRE) 9 10 12 Alan King Mr Charles Dingwall Tom Cannon
• 11 Tout Est Permis (FR) p 8 10 12 Noel Meade Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Sean Flanagan
• 12 Anibale Fly (FR) ts 11 10 12 A. J. Martin Ireland Mr John P. McManus Denis O'Regan
• 13 Mister Malarky ts, p 8 10 12 Colin Tizzard Wendy & Malcolm Hezel Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
• 14 Kimberlite Candy (IRE) p 9 10 10 Tom Lacey Mr John P. McManus Richie McLernon
• 15 Any Second Now (IRE) bl 9 10 9 T. M. Walsh Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh
• 16 Balko des Flos (FR) 10 10 9 Henry de Bromhead Ireland RacehorseClub.com Aidan Coleman
• 17 Alpha des Obeaux (FR) bl,ts 11 10 9 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jody McGarvey
• 18 Ok Corral (IRE) 11 10 8 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Mr Derek O'Connor
• 19 Takingrisks (IRE) p 12 10 7 Nicky Richards Mr Frank Bird Sean Quinlan
• 20 Shattered Love (IRE) ts, p 10 10 7 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Kevin Sexton
• 21 Jett (IRE) p 10 10 7 Mrs J. Harrington Ireland Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
• 22 Lord du Mesnil (FR) ts, p 8 10 6 Richard Hobson Mr Paul Porter & Mike & Mandy Smith Nick Scholfield
• 23 Potters Corner (IRE) bl 11 10 6 Christian Williams All Stars Sports, Davies & RacehorseClub Jack Tudor
• 24 Class Conti (FR) ts, p 9 10 6 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Brian Hayes
• 25 Milan Native (IRE) ts 8 10 6 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Mr J. J. Codd
• 26 Discorama (FR) ts 8 10 6 Paul Nolan Ireland Thomas Friel/Andrew Gemmell B. J. Cooper
• 27 Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) ts, p 12 10 5 David Pipe Prof Caroline Tisdall & Mr John Gent Conor O'Farrell
• 28 Cloth Cap (IRE) p 9 10 5 Jonjo O'Neill Mr Trevor Hemmings Tom Scudamore
• 29 Cabaret Queen 9 10 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Syndicates.Racing Sean O'Kebeffe
• 30 Minellacelebration (IRE) 11 10 5 Katy Price Mr Nick Elliott Ben Poste
• 31 Canelo (IRE) p 8 10 4 Alan King Mr John P. McManus Tom Bellamy
• 32 The Long Mile 7 10 4 J.P.Dempsey Ireland Mr John P. McManus Luke Dempsey
• 33 Give Me A Copper (IRE) ts 11 10 4 Paul Nicholls Done, Ferguson, Mason, Nicholls & Wood Harry Cobden
• 34 Farclas (FR) ts 7 10 3 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jack Kennedy
• 35 Minella Times (IRE) ts 8 10 3 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr John P. McManus Rachael Blackmore
• 36 Sub Lieutenant (IRE) ts, p 12 10 3 Georgie Howell Ms G. Howell Tabitha Worsley
• 37 Hogan's Height (IRE) ts 10 10 3 Jamie Snowden Foxtrot Racing: Hogan's Height Gavin Sheehan
• 38 Double Shuffle (IRE) 11 10 2 Tom George Crossed Fingers Partnership Jonathan Burke
• 39 Ami Desbois (FR) ts 11 10 2 Graeme McPherson The Reserved Judgment Partnership Kielan Woods
• 40 Blaklion 12 10 2 Dan Skelton Darren & Annaley Yates Harry Skelton

Reserves:

• R1 Some Neck (FR) p 10 10 1 John McConnell Ireland Some Neck Partnership Simon Torrens
• R2 Secret Reprieve (IRE) 7 10 1 Evan Williams Mr & Mrs William Rucker
• R3 Kauto Riko (FR) ts 10 10 0 Tom Gretton Mr and Mrs J.Dale and Partners
• R4 Fagan 11 10 0 Alex Hales Mr S Brackenbury Harry Bannister

What are the race conditions?

The Grand National is run over a trip of 4m2f and 74 yards.

It is open to horses who have finished in the first four of any steeplechase over a distance of 2m7f and 110 yards or more, and have run in at least three steeplechases altogether. They must be rated at least 125 and be seven years old or more.

A total of 30 fences are jumped, including Becher’s Brook, famed for its steep landing and jumped twice during the race. Despite having been reshaped for safety reasons, it remains a fearsome test and one of the most famous in jumps racing.

Becher's is followed by Foinavon, named after the only horse to clear it in the 1967 renewal. This obstacle is innocuous compared to what comes immediately before it, but still needs dealing with and can catch a horse out.

The Chair is almost unique in that it is jumped only once. It is tall and deep, with the ground on the landing side raised slightly, asking a horse to get organised quickly.

After The Chair comes the water jump, also jumped just once as runners head out on their final circuit.

Who can beat Cloth Cap?

If Grand National favourite Cloth Cap is as ‘well in’ as the numbers suggest, it might be all about the places in this year's race. We pinpoint four horses who could give you a good run for your money, at double-figure odds, in the Aintree spectacular.

Any Second Now (Ted Walsh)

Impressive in his prep run when hacking up by 10 lengths in a Grade Two over two miles at Navan. He himself is technically 2lb well in off his revised mark following that victory and looked a National type when winning a soundly-run Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival two years ago. The distance is the only question mark for this largely sound jumper, but his trainer knows exactly what is required.

Kimberlite Candy (Tom Lacey)

Twice a runner-up in the Becher Chase, this nine-year-old has proven his aptitude for the National fences, and a Classic Chase win in testing conditions at Warwick last term suggests the trip may not pose a problem either. His mark of 153 puts him in the right ballpark, he goes well fresh and connections have made no secret of the fact this has been his target all year.

Acapella Bourgeois (Willie Mullins)

Third in the 2019 Irish National to Burrows Saint, he dished out a near five-length beating to that stable companion in the Bobbyjo Chase last time. He was conceding 6lb that day and will be getting 1lb this time, so it perhaps makes more sense to take a chance on the old stager rather than the younger Mullins inmate, who is roughly half his price.

Farclas (Denise Foster)

Like his illustrious dual National-winning stablemate Tiger Roll, Farclas was a Triumph Hurdle winner in his juvenile days – and while he has not hit those heights over fences, he has been batting away in competitive handicap chases all season. Second to The Shunter in the Plate at Cheltenham, the distance is a huge question mark, but equally he is an unexposed runner off a relatively light weight.

Grand National Festival schedule and race times

THURSDAY APRIL 8

• 1.45pm The Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f
• 2.20pm The Doom Bar Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 1f ITV
• 2.50pm The Betway Bowl Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f ITV
• 3.25pm The Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f ITV
• 4.05pm The Rose Paterson Randox Health Foxhunters’ Steeple Chase (Class 2) 2m 5f ITV
• 4.40pm The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 2m ITV
• 5.15pm The Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2) 2m 1f

FRIDAY APRIL 9

• 1:45pm The Orrell Park Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 4f
• 2.20pm The Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m ½f ITV
• 2.50pm The Betway Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f ITV
• 3.25pm The Marsh Steeple Chase (Registered as the Melling) (Grade 1) 2m 4f ITV
• 4.05pm The Randox Health Topham Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 2m 5f ITV
• 4.40pm The Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f ITV
• 5.15pm The Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle (cond’ and amat’) (Class 2) 2m 1f

SATURDAY APRIL 10

• 1:45pm The Bridle Road Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 3m ½f
• 2.25pm The Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f ITV
• 3.00pm The Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m ITV
• 3.40pm The Ryanair Stayers’ Hurdle (Registered as the Liverpool Hurdle) (Grade 1) 3m ½f ITV
• 4.20pm The Betway Handicap Steeple Chase (Listed) 3m 1f ITV
• 5:15pm The Randox Grand National Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 4m 2½f ITV
• 6.20pm The Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 1f

Grand National results & starting prices

Here is a list of previous Grand National winners and their starting prices since the second World War. Seven clear favourites have won the race, with three winners at 100/1.

Tiger Roll won the race for a second time as the 4/1 market leader when the race was last staged in 2019 and he was the first winning favourite since Don't Push It, who shared that position when Sir AP McCoy famously rode him to victory in 2010.

2019: Tiger Roll (4/1 favourite)

2018: Tiger Roll (10/1)

2017: One For Arthur (14/1)

2016: Rule The World (33/1)

2015: Many Clouds (25/1)

2014: Pineau De Re (25/1)

2013: Auroras Encore (66/1)

2012: Neptune Collonges (33/1)

2011: Ballabriggs (14/1)

2010: Don’t Push It (10/1 joint-favourite)

2009: Mon Mome (100/1)

2008: Comply or Die (7/1 joint-favourite)

2007: Silver Birch (33/1)

2006: Numbersixvalverde (11/1)

2005: Hedgehunter (7/1 favourite)

2004: Amberleigh Hous (16/1)

2003: Monty’s Pass (16/1)

2002: Bindaree (20/1)

2001: Red Marauder (33/1)

2000: Papillon (10/1)

1999: Bobbyjo (10/1)

1998: Earth Summit (7/1 favourite)

1997: Lord Gyllene (14/1)

1996: Rough Quest (7/1 favourite)

1995: Royal Athlete (40/1)

1994: Miinnehoma (16/1)

1992: Party Politics (14/1)

1991: Seagram (12/1)

1990: Mr Frisk (16/1)

1989: Little Polveir (28/1)

1988: Rhyme ‘n’ Reason (10/1)

1987: Maori Venture (28/1)

1986: West Tip (15/2)

1985: Last Suspect (50/1)

1984: Hallo Dandy (13/1)

1983: Corbiere (13/1)

1982: Grittar (7/1 favourite)

1981: Aldaniti (10/1)

1980: Ben Nevis (40/1)

1979: Rubstic (25/1)

1978: Lucius (14/1)

1977: Red Rum (9/1)

1976: Rag Trade (14/1)

1975: L’Escargot (13/2)

1974: Red Rum (11/1)

1973: Red Rum (9/1 joint-favourite)

1972: Well To Do (14/1)

1971: Specify (28/1)

1970: Gay Trip (15/1)

1969: Highland Wedding (100/9)

1968: Red Alligator (100/7)

1967: Foinavon (100/1)

1966: Anglo (50/1)

1965: Jay Trump (100/6)

1964: Team Spirit (18/1)

1963: Ayala (66/1)

1962: Kilmore (28/1)

1961: Nicolaus Silver (28/1)

1960: Merryman II (13/2 favourite)

1959: Oxo (8/1)

1958: Mr What (18/1)

1957: Sundew (20/1)

1956: E.S.B. (100/7)

1955: Quare Times (100/9)

1954: Royal Tan (8/1)

1953: Early Mist (20/1)

1952: Teal (100/7)

1951: Nickel Coin (40/1)

1950: Freebooter (10/1 favourite)

1949: Russian Hero (66/1)

1948: Sheila’s Cottage (50/1)

1947: Caughoo (100/1)

1946: Lovely Cottage (25/1)

Do favourites have a good record in the Grand National?

Check out the recent fate of the favourite in the famous Aintree marathon.

Year Favourite SP Result

2020 Race cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic

2019 TIGER ROLL 4/1 WON.

2018 Total Recall 7/1 Pulled up before two out.

2017 Blaklion 8/1 Fourth.

2016 The Last Samuri 8/1 Second. Many Clouds 8/1 16th.

2015 Shutthefrontdoor 6/1 Fifth.

2014 Double Seven 10/1 Third. Teaforthree 10/1 unseated rider 15th.

2013 Seabass 11/2 13th.

2012 Seabass 8/1 Third, Shakalakaboomboom 8/1 Ninth.

2011 The Midnight Club 15/2 Sixth.

2010 DON’T PUSH IT 10/1 WON. Big Fella Thanks 10/1 Fourth.

2009 Butler’s Cabin 7/1 Seventh.

2008 COMPLY OR DIE 7/1 WON. Cloudy Lane 7-1 Sixth.

2007 Point Barrow 8/1 Fell 1st. Joes Edge 8/1 Pulled before 20th, Monkerhostin 8/1 Refused 7th.

2006 Hedgehunter 5/1 Second. Clan Royal 5/1 Third.

2005 HEDGEHUNTER 7/1 WON.

2004 Clan Royal 10/1 Second. Bindaree 10/1 Unseated rider 6th. Joss Naylor 10/1 Pulled up before 19th. Jurancon II 10/1 Fell 4th.

2003 Shotgun Willy 7/1 Pulled up after 21st.

2002 Blowing Wind 8/1 Third.

2001 Edmond 10/1 Fell at the Chair (15th). Inis Cara 10/1 Fell 4th. Moral Support 10/1 Hampered and refused first Canal Turn (8th).

Grand National Quiz

QUESTIONS - Scroll to the bottom of the page for answers

1. Tom Scudamore is set to ride this year’s Grand National favourite Cloth Cap. His grandfather Michael was the winning jockey in 1959 – on which horse?

2. Cloth Cap’s owner Trevor Hemmings has already won the race three times. Name his Aintree heroes, and their glory years.

3. Hemmings’ boss also owned a National winner – name him, his horse and the year.

4. Who was the celebrity owner of 1994 winner Miinnehoma?

5. Which topically-named National winner of the 1990s was successful at Aintree five days before a General Election?

6. Who will be clerk of the course at the Grand National meeting for the first time this year?

7. Who links shock 2009 winner Mon Mome and 1988 faller Marcolo?

8. Rachael Blackmore is among those with a chance to become the first woman to ride a Grand National winner this year. Who was the first female jockey to take part in the race, in which year and on which horse?

9. Name the former prisoner of war who rode the 1951 Grand National winner.

10. What is the connection between the National and Gatwick Airport?

11. Aldaniti was a fairytale winner in 1981 – but which hunter-chase great finished runner-up?

12. What was remarkable about the effort of Mely Moss as runner-up in 2000?

13. What sets National winner Peter Simple apart from the rest?

14. In which year did an American amateur scale the National peak on a Scottish landmark?

15. In 1990, why could trainer Kim Bailey be forgiven for feeling a little tired by the time his horse Mr Frisk came home in front?

16. What was unusual about 2016 winner Rule The World?

17. Who is the oldest jockey to win the race?

18. Which horse was remounted to snatch third in the 1982 Grand National?

19. Name the former Triumph Hurdle winner who took out 10 horses when he declined to jump the Canal Turn while loose in the 2001 National.

20. Which were the only two horses to beat Red Rum over the Grand National course?

Randox Grand National in numbers

4 – The record number of wins for a trainer in the Grand National. This was achieved by the late Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain with Red Rum (1973, 1974 and 1977) and Amberleigh House (2004) – and the late Fred Rimell with ESB (1956), Nicolaus Silver (1961), Gay Trip (1970) and Rag Trade (1976)

4 – The number of times greys have won the Grand National, The Lamb (1868 and 1871), Nicolaus Silver (1961) and Neptune Collonges (2012)

4m 2f 74y – The distance of the Randox Grand National

5 – Of the last 22 Grand National winners have been clear or joint favourites

5 – The number of times George Stevens rode the winner of the Grand National – Freetrader (1856), Emblem (1863), Emblematic (1864) and The Colonel (1869 and 1870), the most of any jockey

7 – The minimum age a horse can be to run in the Grand National

8 mins 47.8 secs – The fastest winning time for the Grand National, set by Mr Frisk (1990)

9st 6lb – The lightest winning weight in Grand National history, carried by Freetrader in 1856. The minimum weight for the Randox Grand National is now 10st.

11/4 – The shortest-priced winner of the Grand National ever, Poethlyn (1919)

12st 7lb – The largest winning weight ever in the Grand National, carried by Poethlyn (1919), Jerry M (1912), Manifesto (1899) and Cloister (1893).

11st 10lb – The maximum weight that can now be carried in the Grand National.

13 – The number of times mares have won the Grand National – Charity (1841), Miss Mowbray (1852), Anatis (1860), Jealousy (1861), Emblem (1863), Emblematic (1864), Casse Tete (1872), Empress (1880), Zoedone (1883), Frigate (1889), Shannon Lass (1902), Sheila’s Cottage (1948) and Nickel Coin (1951)

14 mins 53 secs – The slowest winning time for the Grand National, set by Lottery (1839)

17 – The age of the youngest jockey to win the Grand National, Bruce Hobbs on Battleship (1938)

29 – The number of times a female rider has competed in the Grand National

30 – The number of fences jumped in the Randox Grand National

40 – The maximum number of runners in the Randox Grand National

48 – The age of the oldest rider to win the Grand National, the amateur Dick Saunders on Grittar (1982)

68 – The age of the oldest rider to complete the Grand National, the amateur Tim Durant on Highlandie, who came home 15th in 1968

100/1 – The biggest starting price for a Grand National winner, allocated to Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947), Foinavon (1967) and Mon Mome (2009)

173rd – Running of the Grand National in 2021

181 years – The number of years since the running of the first race named the Grand National, won by Lottery in 1839

1840 – The first time an amateur rider won the Grand National, Mr Bretherton on Jerry

1934 – The only year a racehorse – Golden Miller – has won both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National

1975 – The second and latest time a racehorse – L’Escargot – won the Grand National after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but unlike the first – Golden Miller – not in the same year

1977 – The first year a female rider took part in the Grand National, Charlotte Brew on Barony Fort

1982 – The first year a female rider completed the Grand National, Geraldine Rees, finishing 8th on Cheers

1990 – The last time an amateur rider won the Grand National, Marcus Armytage on Mr Frisk

2012 – Katie Walsh became the highest placed female rider in Grand National history, finishing third on Seabass

2012 – The shortest winning margin in Grand National history, when just a nose separated winner Neptune Collonges from Sunnyhillboy

£1,500,000 – The amount spent at Aintree on welfare measures in recent years

9,600,000 – The peak live terrestrial TV viewing audience for the 2019 Grand National

£50,000,000 – Spent on new and upgraded facilities at Aintree in the last 30 years

600,000,000 – The estimated global television audience for the Randox Grand National

What are the most famous Grand National stories and landmarks?

1837: THE DUKE wins the first Great Liverpool Steeplechase at Maghull, some three miles from the present site of Aintree racecourse.

1839: Aintree becomes the new home for the event, with LOTTERY carrying off the prize and Captain Martin Becher christening the now-famous brook as he crawls in for safety after a fall.

1847: MATTHEW records the first Irish-trained victory on the day the race is officially named the Grand National.

1897: MANIFESTO, the 6/1 favourite, records the first of his two wins in the race. He ran eight times up to the age of 16, also finishing third three times and fourth once.

1927: Ted Leader rides SPRIG to a popular victory in the first National to be covered by a BBC radio commentary.

1934: The legendary GOLDEN MILLER becomes the only horse ever to win the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season, carrying 12st 2lb to victory in record time.

1956: DEVON LOCH and jockey Dick Francis, looking certain to give the Queen Mother victory when clear on the run-in, suddenly sprawls flat on the ground yards from the winning post, allowing ESB to win.

1967: The year of the horrific pile-up at the 23rd. John Buckingham and complete outsider FOINAVON avoid the melee and gallop on to a 100/1 win.

1977: The incomparable RED RUM rewrites the record books with his historic third victory. ‘Rummy’ had five runs, with three wins and two seconds, from the age of eight to 12.

1979: RUBSTIC makes history by becoming the first Scottish-trained winner. His homecoming party was heralded by a piper leading him back to the hamlet of Denholm, Roxburghshire.

1981: ALDANITI, nursed back from career-threatening injury three times, wins a fairy-tale National ridden by Bob Champion, who fought, and beat, cancer.

1982: Dick Saunders, at the age of 48, becomes the oldest winning jockey on GRITTAR. Geraldine Rees becomes the first woman to complete the course, riding the leg-weary CHEERS.

1983: Years of doubt about the National’s future are ended when the Jockey Club, helped by public donations, buys the course. CORBIERE’s victory ensures Jenny Pitman goes into the history books as the first woman to train the winner.

1987: Jim Joel becomes the oldest winning owner at 92. He is on his way back from South Africa when MAORI VENTURE wins a thrilling race from The Tsarevich.

1993: The darkest day in the history of the National. There is chaos after a second false start as most of the field continue. John White passes the post first on the Jenny Pitman-trained ESHA NESS, only to discover the race has been declared void.

1994: MIINNEHOMA, owned by comedian Freddie Starr, gives multiple champion trainer Martin Pipe his first National victory, and 51-year-old grandmother Rosemary Henderson completes the course on her own horse FIDDLERS PIKE, who finishes fifth.

1995: Jenny Pitman, the first lady of Aintree, gains her second success – two years late – with ROYAL ATHLETE.

1997: A bomb hoax causes Aintree to be evacuated, but the great race is staged two days late and is won in spectacular style by LORD GYLLENE.

1999: Father-and-son trainer-jockey team Tommy and Paul Carberry combine to land a first Irish win for 24 years with BOBBYJO.

2001: RED MARAUDER and Smarty are the only horses to put in clear rounds in a race run in atrocious conditions, though all horses return fine.

2003: MONTY’S PASS lands a massive gamble, with owner Mike Futter netting close to £1million from ante-post bets.

2004: Ginger McCain, veteran trainer of Red Rum, enjoys an emotional victory as 12-year-old AMBERLEIGH HOUSE lands the spoils, having been third in 2003.

2005: HEDGEHUNTER becomes the first horse since Corbiere in 1983 to carry more than 11st to victory in the great race, romping clear in great style under Ruby Walsh to slam Royal Auclair by 14 lengths.

2008: COMPLY OR DIE allows David Pipe to join his legendary father, Martin, in the record books as a National-winning trainer in just his second season.

2009: MON MOME becomes the biggest-priced winner since Foinavon when powering home at 100/1 for trainer Venetia Williams and jockey Liam Treadwell.

2010: DON’T PUSH IT, trained by Jonjo O’Neill and owned by legendary gambler JP McManus, provides perennial champion jockey Tony McCoy with his first success at the 15th attempt.

2011: DONALD McCAIN, son of Ginger, follows in the footsteps of his four-time National-winning father as he sends out Ballabriggs to glory under Jason Maguire.

2012: NEPTUNE COLLONGES becomes the first grey to win since Nicolaus Silver in 1961, getting up right on the line to beat Sunnyhillboy by a nose. KATIE WALSH finishes third on SEABASS to achieve the best placing yet by a female rider.

2015: It is a moment Leighton Aspell will never forget as the victory of MANY CLOUDS makes it back-to-back wins for the jockey after Pineau De Re in 2014. Also one Tony McCoy will remember, albeit for different reasons, as his honourable fifth-placed finish on SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR is his last ride in the great race before retirement.

2017: ONE FOR ARTHUR becomes the first Scottish-trained winner since 1979 as he triumphs for Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox.

2019: The remarkable TIGER ROLL becomes the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back Nationals as he defies a 9lb rise for owner Gigginstown House Stud and trainer Gordon Elliott, who was winning his third National after Silver Birch in 2007.

2020: For the first time since World War II, the race is cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Timeform

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Grand National records

Leading horse:

• Red Rum – 3 wins (1973, 1974, 1977)

Leading jockey:

• George Stevens – 5 wins (Freetrader, 1856; Emblem 1863; Emblematic, 1864; The Colonel, 1869, 1870)

Leading trainers:

• George Dockeray – 4 wins (Lottery, 1839; Jerry, 1840; Gaylad, 1842; Miss Mowbray, 1852)
• Fred Rimell – 4 wins (E.S.B., 1956; Nicolaus Silver, 1961; Gay Trip, 1970; Rag Trade, 1976)
• Ginger McCain – 4 wins (Red Rum, 1973, 1974, 1977; Amberleigh House, 2004)

Leading owners:

• James Octavius Machell – 3 wins (Disturbance, 1873; Reugny, 1874; Regal, 1876)
• Noel Le Mare – 3 wins (Red Rum, 1973, 1974, 1977)
• Trevor Hemmings - 3 wins (Hedgehunter, 2005; Ballabriggs, 2011, Many Clouds, 2015)
• Gigginstown House Stud - 3 wins (Rule The World, 2016; Tiger Roll, 2018, 2019)
• Fastest winning time: Mr. Frisk (1990); 8:47.80
• Slowest winning time: Lottery (1839); 14:53
• Oldest winning horse: Peter Simple (1853); aged 15
• Youngest winning horse: Alcibiade (1865), Regal (1876), Austerlitz (1877), Empress (1880), Lutteur III (1909); all aged five
• Oldest winning jockey: Dick Saunders (1982); aged 48
• Youngest winning jockey: Bruce Hobbs (1938); aged 17
• Longest odds winner: Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947), Foinavon (1967), Mon Mome (2009); all 100/1
• Shortest odds winner: Poethlyn (1919); 11/4
• Largest field: 66 runners (1929)
• Smallest field: 10 runners (1883)
• Most horses to finish: 23 (1984)
• Fewest horses to finish: 2 (1928)
• Most rides in the race: 21 (Richard Johnson, 1997-2019)
• Most rides without winning: 21 (Richard Johnson, 1997-2019)

Grand National greys

WINNERS:

Three different grey horses have won the Grand National four times:

The Lamb (1868 and 1871)

Nicolaus Silver 1961)

Neptune Collonges (2012).

GREYS PLACED SINCE 1997:

1997 Suny Bay (2nd), 1998 Suny Bay (2nd), 2002 What’s Up Boys (2nd), 2002 Kingsmark (4th), 2008 King Johns Castle (2nd)

Grand National mares

WINNING MARES (13):

Charity (1841), Miss Mowbray (1852), Anatis (1860), Jealousy (1861), Emblem (1863), Emblematic (1864), Casse Tete (1872), Empress (1880), Zoedone (1883), Frigate (1889), Shannon Lass (1902), Sheila’s Cottage (1948) and Nickel Coin (1951).

PLACED MARES SINCE 1951:

Gentle Moya (2nd 1956), Tiberetta (3rd 1957, 2nd 1958 & 4th 1959), Miss Hunter (3rd 1970), Eyecatcher (3rd 1976 and 1977), Auntie Dot (3rd 1991), Ebony Jane (4th 1994), Dubacilla (4th 1995) and Magic Of Light (2nd 2019).

Grand National reserves

Since 2000, every year bar four (2004-39, 2015-39, 2016-39, 2018-38) has seen a full field of 40 line up in the Grand National. This is partly due to a system of reserves begun in 2000.

The 40 declared runners for the Grand National are revealed over 48 hours before the race, shortly after 10am on the Thursday, and up to four reserves are decided then too.

The reserves can be utilised if one of the original declarations is a non-runner by 1pm (used to be 9am up to and including 2015) on the day before the race. The change to the deadline for reserves was made after Carlito Brigante was taken out in 2015 at 11.12am on the Friday, leaving 39 to face the starter.

A total of 10 reserves have run in the Randox Grand National.

More facts and figures

SMALLEST NUMBER OF FINISHERS:

Two horses finished in 1928, with Tipperary Tim beating the remounted Billy Barton by a distance. Easter Hero hit the Canal Turn on the first circuit and fell back into the ditch which then preceded the fence and impeded runners behind him.

There were three finishers in 1882, 1913 and 1951 (in both 1913 and 1951 the third horse was remounted).

More recently, only four finished in 2001. A loose horse (Paddy’s Return) at the Canal Turn the first time around put paid to the chances of a quarter of the 40 starters and then the heavy going did not suit many others. Red Marauder and Smarty were the only two horses to negotiate the 30 fences at the first attempt. Blowing Wind and Papillon, who both came to grief at the 19th, were remounted to finish third and fourth respectively. The remounting of horses was banned in all races by the British Horseracing Authority in November, 2009.

MOST FINISHERS:

23 went past the winning post in 1984, from 40 starters. There were 22 finishers in 1963, 1987 and 1992.

MOST RUNNERS:

66 in 1929. The maximum field size is now 40.

FEWEST RUNNERS:

10 lined up in 1883.

FASTEST TIME:

Mr Frisk (1990) 8m 47.8s.

SLOWEST TIME:

Officially, Lottery (1839) - 14m 53s. Given the nature of the 1839 Grand National, it is meaningless to compare to subsequent times.

Between 1863, when the start was moved, and 1888, when the finishing line was altered, the race distance was different and times can only be meaningfully compared from 1888 onwards, when the distance was settled on four miles, 856 yards (it had previously been advertised as four and a half miles but was actually 30 yards short). The slowest time since 1888 was set by Red Marauder (2001), who won in 11m 0.1s.

The distance was cut to four miles three and a half furlongs between 2013 and 2015, so that the start could be moved 90 yards nearer to the first fence.

The race now takes place over four miles, two furlongs and 74 yards and has done so since 2016, following a new methodology being applied to the measurement of Jump courses in Britain.

The fastest time of the four runnings to date over the lesser distance is 9m 1.00s, set by Tiger Roll in 2019.

Has a female jockey ever won the Grand National?

No female rider has ever won the Randox Grand National at Aintree.

COMPLETE RECORD OF FEMALE RIDERS (Ms, Miss, Mrs denotes an amateur rider):

2019 Rachael Blackmore Valseur Lido 66/1 10th

2019 Lizzie Kelly Tea For Two 25/1 PU 29th

2018 Bryony Frost Milansbar 25/1 5th

2018 Ms Katie Walsh Baie Des Iles 16/1 12th

2018 Rachael Blackmore Alpha Des Obeaux 33/1 F 15th

2017 Ms Katie Walsh Wonderful Charm 28/1 19th

2016 Ms Nina Carberry Sir Des Champs 20/1 F 15th

2016 Ms Katie Walsh Ballycasey 50/1 UR 29th

2015 Ms Nina Carberry First Lieutenant 14/1 16th

2014 Ms Katie Walsh Vesper Bell 40/1 13th

2013 Ms Katie Walsh Seabass 11/2F 13th

2012 Ms Nina Carberry Organisedconfusion 20/1 UR 8th

2012 Ms Katie Walsh Seabass 8/1JF 3rd

2011 Ms Nina Carberry Character Building 25/1 15th

2010 Ms Nina Carberry Character Building 16/1 7th

2006 Ms Nina Carberry Forest Gunner 33/1 9th

2005 Carrie Ford Forest Gunner 8/1 5th

1994 Mrs Rosemary Henderson Fiddlers Pike 100/1 5th

1989 Tarnya Davis Numerate 100/1 PU 21st

1988 Penny Ffitch-Heyes Hettinger 200/1 F 1st

1988 Gee Armytage Gee-A 33/1 PU 26th

1988 Miss Venetia Williams Marcolo 200/1 F 6th

1987 Jacqui Oliver Eamons Owen 200/1 UR 15th

1984 Mrs Valerie Alder Bush Guide 33/1 F 8th

1983 Mrs Joy Carrier King Spruce 28/1 UR 6th

1983 Mrs Geraldine Rees Midday Welcome 500/1 FELL 1st

1982 Miss Charlotte Brew Martinstown 100/1 UR 3rd

1982 Mrs Geraldine Rees Cheers 66/1 8th

1981 Mrs Linda Sheedy Deiopea 100/1 REF 19th

1980 Mrs Jenny Hembrow Sandwilan 100/1 PU 19th

1979 Mrs Jenny Hembrow Sandwilan 100/1 FELL 1st

1977 Miss Charlotte Brew Barony Fort 200/1 REF 27th

FIRST TO TAKE PART:

Charlotte Brew on Barony Fort in 1977.

FIRST TO COMPLETE:

Geraldine Rees, eighth on Cheers in 1982.

BEST POSITION:

Katie Walsh, third on Seabass in 2012.

Grand National Quiz

ANSWERS

1 Oxo; 2 Hedgehunter (2005), Ballabriggs (2011), Many Clouds (2015); 3 Fred Pontin, Specify, 1971; 4 Freddie Starr (comedian); 5 Party Politics (1992); 6 Sulekha Varma; 7 Venetia Williams – she trained Mon Mome, and rode Marcolo; 8 Charlotte Brew, in 1977 on Barony Fort; 9 Johnny Bullock, on Nickel Coin; 10 The race was run at Gatwick for three years while Aintree was out of commission during World War I. Gatwick racecourse was closed in 1940, and construction of the airport began on the site in 1950; 11 Spartan Missile; 12 It was the nine-year-old’s first run since winning at Cheltenham almost a year earlier; 13 He was the oldest, officially aged 15, when he won the race for the second time in 1853 – one of the only three teenage equines to prevail in the National; 14 1980 (Charlie Fenwick rode Ben Nevis to victory); 15 He gave up his room at Liverpool’s Adelphi Hotel the night before when owner Lois Duffey made a last-minute decision to fly from her home in America to watch the race; 16 It was the only steeplechase he ever won; 17 Dick Saunders, on Grittar in 1982, aged 48; 18 Loving Words; 19 Paddy’s Return; 20 L’Escargot and Rag Trade, winners in 1975 and 1976.

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