Millions of fans will be glued to their screens for the 176th annual running of the Grand National.
A crowd of up to 75,000 is expected to attend the Aintree meeting, which runs from Thursday to Saturday. However, for the more casual viewer, all attention is already focused on Saturday's main event.
Corach Rambler, last year's champion, is back in the running this year. Renowned trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott are also vying for the top spot, the Mirror reports.
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SkyI Am Maximus, last year's Irish National winner, is Mullins' best shot at his first win since 2005. But following significant protests from animal rights groups last year, the renowned race promises a slightly different look this time around.
Last year, the National was postponed due to activists protesting both within Aintree's grounds and on the course itself. As a result, race organisers have adjusted the format to ensure maximum safety for both the horses and jockeys.
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The 34 runners, down from 40 in previous years, were announced on Thursday morning. Here's everything else you need to know about the big race.
When is the Aintree Grand National?
The Grand National is the pinnacle of Aintree's three-day Grand National Festival, which this year runs from today, April 11, to Saturday, April 13.
The Grand National, a staple of British horse racing since its inception in 1839, has always been held at Aintree Racecourse. The main event is set to take place on Saturday afternoon.
Wondering when the 2024 Grand National will kick off?
The horses will be off and running at 4pm on Saturday, April 13. This is an hour earlier than last year's start time, a change made to ensure optimal ground conditions.
Curious about how many horses will be competing in the 2024 Grand National?
The number has been reduced from 40 to 34 this year, a move aimed at enhancing race safety. The record for the most runners stands at 66, set back in 1929.
What qualifications must a horse meet to compete?
- Have an official rating (OR) of 130 or more (up from a rating of 125 in 2023).
- Aged 7 or older.
- Have completed three or more steeplechases.
- Have completed one steeplechase in the current season.
- Have finished between 1st and 4th in a steeplechase over 2 miles 7½ furlongs or further.
How far will the horses run?
The official distance is four miles, two furlongs and 74 yards (4m 2f 74y), measured two yards inside the innermost rail. This makes the Grand National the longest jump race in the UK.
And how many fences will they have to clear?
There are 16 individual fences in the race, with 14 being jumped twice, totalling 30 jumps. These fences are constructed from Sitka or Norway spruce, sourced from the Lake District and transported to Aintree.
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It takes roughly three weeks to build all the fences, which include the renowned Beecher's Brook and The Chair.
What changes can we expect for the 2024 Grand National?
Significant changes have been made. The alterations have been made after animal rights protesters ambushed the event last year - causing a delay of over 15 minutes.
However, the Jockey Club insists that the changes did not come as a direct response to those protests.
The most significant changes are as follows:.
- The field has been reduced from 40 horses to a maximum of 34.
- The first fence has been brought forward, towards the start line, by 60 yards in order to reduce the speed at which the horses reach it.
- The start will now be a standing start at the tape, rather than the traditional rolling start. This change is also designed to reduce the speed that horses arrive at the first obstacle.
- Each horse must have an official rating of at least 130 - rather than 125.
- Fence 11 has been reduced in height by two inches and will have the drop on the landing side reduced.
- Horses will no longer be led onto the course by a handler before the race, instead being released to canter in front of the grandstands.
- The start time has been moved from 5.15pm to 4pm.
