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RacingBetter News
Wednesday 19th April 2023
   

The Aintree Grand National - Safer and More Competitive

The Aintree Grand National is one of the most famous horse races in the world, and its course and fences have evolved over the years to create a challenging and exciting test for both horses and riders.

The first Grand National was held in 1839, and the course was very different from the one we know today. It was only two miles long, and the fences were made of natural hedges. The race was also much more dangerous, with many horses and riders being injured or killed.

In the early years, the Grand National was held every year, but it was suspended during World War I and World War II. After the war, the course was lengthened to its current four miles and two and a half furlongs. The fences were also made safer by using artificial materials, such as spruce and birch.

In the 1960s, the Grand National began to attract international attention, and the field of runners became more competitive. The race also became more commercialized, with television coverage, parimutuel betting and sponsorship deals bringing in new revenue.

In recent years, there have been a number of changes to the Grand National course and fences in an effort to make it safer for horses and riders. The fences have been made lower and wider, and the run-in to the finish line has been shortened. These changes have helped to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities at the race.

The Aintree Grand National is a challenging and exciting race that continues to attract the best horses and riders from around the world. The course and fences have evolved over the years to create a race that is both safe and competitive.

Here is a more detailed look at some of the changes that have been made to the Aintree Grand National course and fences over the years:

  • The fences: The original fences at Aintree were made of natural hedges, which were often difficult to see and could be very dangerous. In the early 1900s, artificial materials, such as spruce and birch, began to be used to make the fences safer. The fences were also made lower and wider in an effort to reduce the number of injuries.

  • The course: The original course at Aintree was only two miles long, but it was lengthened to its current four miles and two and a half furlongs in the early 1900s. The course was also redesigned to make it more challenging, with a number of new fences added.

  • The safety measures: In recent years, a number of safety measures have been put in place at the Aintree Grand National in an effort to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities. These measures include:

    • The fences are now made of a softer material, such as spruce, which is less likely to injure horses and riders.
    • The fences are also lower and wider, which makes them easier for horses to jump.
    • The run-in to the finish line has been shortened, which gives horses more time to recover after jumping the last fence.
    • There are now more medical personnel on hand at the racecourse to treat any injuries that may occur.

The Aintree Grand National is a challenging and exciting race that continues to attract the best horses and riders from around the world. The course and fences have evolved over the years to create a race that is both safe and competitive.