The Grand National makes the front and back pages of the newspapers more than any other race in the UK, if not the world. It is a contest watched by many people who watch no other racing all year and wagered on by people who “don’t bet”. It is truly a national institution but also a global event, watched by over half a billion people in well over 130 countries. It is not the classiest race on the calendar but even so, with the total purse standing at £1m in 2022, it offers huge financial rewards. Run at Liverpool’s Aintree on the Saturday of a three-day meeting in April, it was first won, way back in 1839, by the aptly named Lottery.
We say that the name is fitting because the Grand National is widely regarded as something of a lottery. It is open to horses aged seven and upwards and is run over almost four and a half miles, with uniquely testing jumps and obstacles – 30 of them, no less! In addition, the race typically features around 40 horses, though in 1929, a total of 66 runners went to post! There is so much luck required in-running that predicting the winner is no mean feat, with the favourite often priced around the 8/1 mark. Winning this race at once makes a horse a legend of the sport but multiple winners of this handicap chase are truly special. They include record three-time winner Red Rum, plus the likes of Tiger Roll, Manifesto and Reynoldstown. Other Grand National greats include Cheltenham Gold Cup legend Golden Miller and L’Escargot.
2024
- 1st - I Am Maximus 7/1J, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd - Delta Work 28/1, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 3rd - Minella Indo 28/1, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
- 4th - Galvin 40/1, Jockey: Sam Ewing, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
2023
- 1st - Corach Ramblers 8/1F, Jockey: Derek Fox, Trainer: Lucinda Russell
- 2nd - Vanilier 20/1, Jockey: Sean Flanagan, Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
- 3rd - Gaillard Du Mesnil 10/1, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 4th - Noble Yeats 10/1, Jockey: Sean Bowen, Trainer: Emmet Mullins
2022
- 1st - Noble Yeats 50/1, Jockey: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen, Trainer: Emmet Mullins
- 2nd - Any Second Now 15/2F, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Ted Walsh
- 3rd - Delta Work 10/1, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 4th - Santini 33/1, Jockey: Nick Schofield, Trainer: Polly Gundry
2021
- 1st - Minella Times 11/1, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
- 2nd - Balko Des Flos 100/1, Jockey: Aidan Coleman, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
- 3rd - Any Second Now 15/2, Jockey: Mark Walsh, Trainer: Ted Walsh
- 4th - Burrows Saint 9/1, Jockey: Mr P W Mullins, Trainer: Willie Mullins
2020
Cancelled.
2019
- 1st - Tiger Roll 4/1F, Jockey: Davy Russell, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 2nd - Magic Of Light 66/1, Jockey: Paddy Kennedy, Trainer: Mrs John Harrington
- 3rd - Rathvinden 8/1, Jockey: Ruby Walsh, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 4th - Walk In The Mill 25/1, Jockey: James Best, Trainer: Robert Walford
2018
- 1st - Tiger Roll (IRE) 10/1, Jockey: Davy Russell, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 2nd - Pleasant Company (IRE) 25/1, Jockey: David Mullins, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 3rd - Bless the Wings (IRE) 40/1, Jockey: Jack Kennedy, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 4th - Anibale Fly (FR) 10/1, Jockey: Barry Geraghty, Trainer: A J Martin
2017
- 1st - One For Arthur (IRE) 14/1, Jockey: Derek Fox, Trainer: Lucinda Russell
- 2nd - Cause of Causes (USA) 16/1, Jockey: Mr J J Codd, Trainer: Gordon Elliott
- 3rd - Saint Are (FR) 25/1, Jockey: Davy Russell, Trainer: Tom George
- 4th - Blaklion 8/1F, Jockey: Noel Fehily, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
2016
- 1st - Rule The World 33/1, Jockey: David Mullins, Trainer: Michael F. Morris
- 2nd - The Last Samuri (IRE) 8/1J, Jockey: David Bass, Trainer: Kim Bailey
- 3rd - Vics Canvas (IRE) 100/1, Jockey: Robert Dunne, Trainer: Dermot A McLoughlin
- 4th - Gilgamboa (IRE) 28/1, Jockey: Robbie Power, Trainer: Enda Bolger
2015
- 1st - Many Clouds (IRE) 25/1, Jockey: Leighton Aspell, Trainer: Oliver Sherwood
- 2nd - Saint Are (FR) 25/1, Jockey: Paddy Brennan, Trainer: Tom George
- 3rd - Monbeg Dude (IRE) 40/1, Jockey: Liam Treadwell, Trainer: Michael Scudamore
- 4th - Alvarado (IRE) 20/1, Jockey: Paul Moloney, Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
2014
- 1st - Pineau De Re (FR) 25/1, Jockey: Leighton Aspell, Trainer: Dr Richard Newland
- 2nd - Balthazar King (IRE) 14/1, Jockey: Richard Johnson, Trainer: Philip Hobbs
- 3rd - Double Seven (IRE) 10/1J, Jockey: A P McCoy, Trainer: Martin Brassil
- 4th - Alvarado (IRE) 33/1, Jockey: Paul Moloney, Trainer: Fergal O'Brien