The annual Grand National at Aintree is the world's most recognisable horse race, where 40 runners vie for glory in a gruelling marathon.

It is widely regarded as one of Britain's greatest sporting institutions and is a race that draws interest from a wide spectrum of society. Here's everything you need to know about the world's greatest steeplechase.

When is the 2024 Grand National?

The Grand National will take place on Saturday 13th April 2024 at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool.

Where can I watch the Grand National?

You can watch the Grand National courtesy of our live horse racing streaming service.

The Grand National is also shown live on terrestrial television via ITV Racing - they broadcast action from Aintree on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, including all the major races. A peak audience of 7.5 million viewers tuned in to watch the race in 2023. 

Racing TV also has dedicated coverage of every race from Aintree across all thee days of the Grand National Festival.

What is the Grand National?

The Grand National is a handicap steeplechase run over a distance of four-and-a-quarter-miles - currently the longest distance of any race run in Britain. 

The unique Grand National fences are topped with spruce, ensuring they are distinguishable from 'regular' fences. The race is the ultimate test of stamina and jumping.

How many fences are in the Grand National?

Horses have 30 jumping tests to pass in the Grand National as they complete two circuits of the course but there are only 16 unique fences to be jumped. 

The Aintree fences are famous around the world, with names such as The Chair, Becher's Brook, Foinavon, The Canal Turn and Valentine's Brook synonymous with the Merseyside marathon.

Who won the 2023 Grand National?

The Grand National in 2023 was won by Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox and trained by Lucinda Russell.

Corach Rambler became the second Scottish-trained horse to claim Grand National glory in six years, with outsider One For Arthur also winning the famous race under the tutelage of Russell back in 2017.

The 8-1 favourite heading into the National off the back of his second consecutive success at the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, Corach Rambler ended up a dominant winner at Aintree with a classy performance which blew away the rest of the field.

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Why are weights important in the Grand National? 

With the Grand National being a handicap, horses are assigned a weight to carry in an attempt to create a level playing field. 

However, it is a task that is easier said than done and often some horses can be left 'exposed' meaning that they are essentially penalised for previous performances and are given a big weight to carry - Any Second Now in this year's instalment, for example. 

On the other side of that, some horses are 'unexposed'. 

An unexposed horse may not have as much top-level form for the handicapper to work with, this means that they will be given a lower weight to carry than they are perhaps capable of.

This is what makes the assignment of weights such a big date for racing fans, as it gives an idea on the chances of certain horses, or in some cases even giving an indication on if they will run. 

History of the Grand National

The National is the most iconic jumps race in the world and has a far-reaching appeal that extends beyond regular fans of horse racing. 

Perhaps the most famous National horse of all-time is Red Rum, who won three times (1973, '74 & '77) for legendary trainer Ginger McCain. Tiger Roll (2019 & '19) is the only horse since Red Rum to retain the Aintree prize.

The race has been won by the great and the good of jumps racing and the winners' often have fantastic stories attached to them. 

In modern times, the quest of 20-times champion jockey AP McCoy to win the race was a long-running story - one that finally resulted in ultimate glory when he won on Don't Push It in 2010.

What's the biggest SP of a Grand National winner?

With as many as 40 horses lining up, the Grand National is one of the most open betting heats in the calendar and it takes both ability and luck to win on the day.

The race has thrown up its share of shocks down the years, with five winners returned at odds of 100/1. They were: Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947), Foinavon (1967) and Mon Mome (2009).

What's the shortest SP of a Grand National winner?

Poethlyn went off at 11/4 for trainer Harry Escott and rider Ernie Piggott in 1919, the first running after a three-year hiatus for World War 1, and the nine-year-old justified those odds to win.

In 2019, Tiger Roll was sent off at odds of 4/1 to retain his crown - a price many might have been scoffing at - but the Gigginstown House-owned terrier was again too strong for the field in the hands of Davy Russell.

Tiger Roll missed the race in 2021 as his owners felt he was given too much weight by the handicapper and has since been retired. 

How many runners are in the Grand National?

The maximum field allowed in the Grand National is now set at 40. The biggest field ever to compete was 66 back in 1929, while only ten lined-up back in 1883 - the smallest ever turnout.

Back in 1984, 23 horses completed the course, a record high, while there were only two finishers in 1928.

Who has trained the most Grand National winners?

George Dockeray sent out four winners in the 19th century, while the tally was equalled by Fred Rimell from 1956-1976. Ginger McCain masterminded Red Rum's three wins in the 1970s and then sent out Amberleigh House to win in
2004.

Gordon Elliot, who saddled Silver Birch in 2007 and two-time winner Tiger Roll, is closing in on equalling that record haul.

Who has ridden the most Grand National winners?

George Stevens won five times from 1856-1870. In more recent times the likes of Carl Llewellyn, Ruby Walsh, Davy Russell and Derek Fox have won two Grand Nationals. Leighton Aspell achieved a notable feat by riding two different winners back-to-back in Pineau Du Re and Many Clouds in 2014/15.

How much prize money is on offer at the Grand National?

Unsurprisingly, the Grand National is one of the most lucrative races on the calendar, with £1million being handed out in prize money and over half of that, £561,300 to be exact, goes to the winner. 

The winner scoops approximately £350,000 more than the horse that finishes second, which makes even the narrowest of victories, like the one achieved by Neptune Collonges at the expense of Sunnyhillboy in 2012, extremely profitable for the winner. 

Third place also secures a healthy check of £100,000, while the top-10 finishers at the Grand National all receive prize money, meaning 25% of the runners will end the race with something to celebrate.

View latest Grand National odds here