Grand National: Pinstickers' guide to Aintree runners & riders - BBC Sport BBC Sport Grand National: Pinstickers' guide to Aintree runners & riders By Frank Keogh From the section Horse Racing Share this page Crabbie's Grand National 2016 Venue: Aintree Date: Saturday, 9 April, 17:15 BST BBC coverage: Commentary and updates on Radio 5 live; live text commentary, pinstickers' guide, sweepstake kit on BBC Sport website BBC Sport's Frank Keogh's verdict: "It's a big ask to follow Red Rum by winning back-to-back Grand Nationals, but Many Clouds fits the bill.

Holywell is quirky but talented, while Goonyella should be staying on at the finish." 1 Many Clouds, 2 Holywell, 3 Saint Are, 4 Morning Assembly, 5 Goonyella (Racecard number, horse, trainer, jockey, recent form, age, weight carried ie 11st 10lb is top weight) 1 MANY CLOUDS Trainer: Oliver Sherwood Jockey: Leighton Aspell Form: 1-6221 Age: 9 Weight: 11-10 Last year's winner attempting to become the first back-to-back victor since the legendary Red Rum in the 1970s. Jockey, who also won on Pineau De Re in 2014, seeking to make history with third consecutive victory. Enjoyed clearer preparation this time and looked impressive on Kelso warm-up. Potentially improving, classy, and could prove a tough nut to crack. Rating: 9/10 Odds: 8-1 Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Noel Fehily Form: 1-22P1 Age: 10 Weight: 11-08 Main contender for champion trainer.

Seven Grade One wins at top level, including two in mid-season showpiece King George VI Chase, though failed to make the frame in three Cheltenham Gold Cup runs. Two from two in another big race over other fences at Aintree and scored a 20-length success in latest run, at Ascot in February. Bags of talent, has to answer question of whether stamina is there for gruelling trip of nearly four and a half miles. Rating: 8/10 Odds: 12-1 Trainer: Mouse Morris IRE Jockey: Bryan Cooper Form: 8432P Age: 11 Weight: 11-04 Consistent performer at the top level for several years, including a win and two second places at the Cheltenham Festival. Enjoys good ground, though toiled when finishing a distant 16th last year. Veteran trainer, whose son Tiffer died of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Argentina last year, one of the best around and scored emotional Irish Grand National success with Rogue Angel on Easter Monday.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1 Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Form: 783P-2 Age: 8 Weight: 11-03 Has never fallen despite making the odd blunder and was runner-up at Cheltenham on last outing in December. Trainer Paul Nicholls won the race, by the shortest distance of a nose, with Neptune Collonges in 2012. Victory this time could help him seal a 10th trainers' championship, in the face of opposition from Ireland's Willie Mullins, but Silviniaco Conti is rated the stable's leading contender. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 50-1 Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Tom Scudamore Form: 535PP7 Age: 10 Weight: 11-02 Boasts some decent form including a narrow defeat by Silviniaco Conti in the Betfred Bowl at Aintree a year ago.

Pipe family love the National - trainer won the race eight years ago with Comply Or Die and his father Martin famously triumphed 14 years earlier with Miinnehoma, owned by comic Freddie Starr. One of the more likely long shots to run well at a big price, and the choice of stable jockey. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1 Trainer: Rebecca Curtis Jockey: Brian Hughes Form: P1P87 Age: 9 Weight: 11-01 Travelled well for a long way in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup, then faded to finish seventh. Throws in the odd indifferent run, but beat some smart rivals when landing the 2014 RSA Chase at Cheltenham, before 18 months out injured. Welsh trainer looking to join Jenny Pitman, Venetia Williams and Sue Smith as the only women to saddle a Grand National winner. Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1 * O'Faolains Boy was found to be lame on Saturday morning and withdrawn from the race.

7 GILGAMBOA Trainer: Enda Bolger IRE Jockey: Robbie Power Form: 1-3455 Age: 8 Weight: 11-01 Part of the contingent for owner JP McManus, whose horses run in the green and gold colours of his local Limerick hurling club. Tricky one to be sure about. Won the Grade One Ryanair Gold Cup for novices at Fairyhouse last April. Hasn't scored since, though stayed on when fifth to Vautour at the Cheltenham Festival. Trainer renowned for producing winners of cross-country chases. Jockey won on Silver Birch in 2007. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 50-1 Trainer: Willie Mullins IRE Jockey: Patrick Mullins Form: 7U4828 Age: 12 Weight: 11-01 Entering the twilight of a distinguished career which featured an unlucky second in the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Drying ground would help his cause but has fallen twice in the National, and needs a leap of faith that he takes to the place this time around.

Talented amateur jockey rides for his father, the Irish champion trainer. Rating: 7/10 Odds: 40-1 Trainer: Neil Mulholland Jockey: Denis O'Regan Form: 1F-662 Age: 9 Weight: 11-00 Looked a potential winner in last year's race for Northern Irish trainer, now based near Bath, but fell when leading five fences from home. Carries 5lb more this time. Second to The Last Samuri on most recent run, at Doncaster last month. Owned by a syndicate called the Stonehenge Druids. Jockey was second on Black Apalachi in 2010, the race won by AP McCoy on Don't Push It. Rating: 8/10 Odds: 14-1 Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Jeremiah McGrath Form: P3-15 Age: 9 Weight: 11-00 Enjoyed a sparkling 2013, winning the Topham Chase over the National fences at Aintree, and landing the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.

Nothing quite as grand since and was pulled up in the 2014 National. Trainer leads the all-time standings at Cheltenham Festival but still seeking first win in the National, where he has suffered seven first-race fallers. Debut ride for jockey. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 33-1 Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Andrew Thornton Form: P-2P40 Age: 10 Weight: 10-13 Hasn't really delivered on early promise and had a variety of issues, including a bout of piles at one stage. Runner-up to Triolo D'Alene in 2013 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, and was fifth in the National later in the season. Sent off a leading contender at 8-1 last year, he could only finish 17th. Still a nice ride for veteran jockey, who is just a few winners away from reaching the landmark of 1,000 career victories.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 40-1 Trainer: Willie Mullins IRE Jockey: Nina Carberry Form: F4/157 Age: 10 Weight: 10-13 High flyer before injury interrupted career, finishing second in the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup having won at the two previous Festivals. Successful return at Thurles but subsequently defeated twice in better company. One of the contenders, along with First Lieutenant and Rule The World, owned by the Gigginstown House Stud headed by Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary. Was due to be ridden by Ruby Walsh, but the two-time winner was ruled out with a broken wrist after two falls on Friday. Walsh was replaced by sister-in-law Nina Carberry, four times a finisher in five Grand National starts.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 40-1 Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill Jockey: Richie McLernon Form: 3-54P2 Age: 9 Weight: 10-12 Fourth in last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup, his 2014 Aintree novice chase win stands out - well-beaten second Don Cossack won last month's Gold Cup, fourth-placed Many Clouds is defending National champion. Seems to thrive at this time of year. Trainer, who triumphed six years ago with Don't Push It ridden by AP McCoy, told me of slight preference for this one to stablemate Shutthefrontdoor. Compares him to narrow 2012 runner-up Sunnyhillboy. Rating: 8/10 Odds: 14-1 Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill Jockey: Barry Geraghty Form: 15-3P Age: 9 Weight: 10-11 The final Grand National ride for 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy before his retirement last year, was favourite and looked a potential fairytale winner as the race unfolded before running out of steam and finishing fifth.

Winner of the 2014 Irish Grand National and likely to be nearer the front than back at the finish, though stamina has to be a concern when you reflect on 12 months ago. Rating: 7/10 Odds: 20-1 Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Conor O'Farrell Form: 9-0413 Age: 11 Weight: 10-11 The selection of this pinstickers' guide last year, looked a leading player, travelling nicely before tiring and finishing ninth. Was seventh two years earlier, finished 11th in the 2014 Topham Chase and fourth in this season's Becher Chase, so knows how to negotiate the fences, but suspicion that his best chance may have gone and stable jockey Tom Scudamore has opted for Ballynagour. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 50-1 Trainer: Evan Williams Jockey: Paul Moloney Form: 5-3243 Age: 9 Weight: 10-10 Quirky. Jumping can be questionable though hasn't fallen since April 2013.

Narrow second in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham earlier in the season. Owned by pharmacist Hywel Jones - he and his Welsh trainer had the first winner, Plunkett, at the new Ffos Las racecourse in 2009. Jockey Paul Moloney has finished in the National first four seven years running aboard Alvarado, Cappa Bleu and State Of Play. Rating: 7/10 Odds: 66-1 Trainer: Willie Mullins IRE Jockey: Paul Townend Form: 0-50P1 Age: 11 Weight: 10-10 High class on his day, the winner of four Grade One races. When trainer revealed, in a phone interview at a pre-National lunch, that Ruby Walsh would probably ride, a cock crowed in the background. But Ruby is now on Sir Des Champs. Was it some kind of sign? Anyway…my father-in-law has a mate from Boston, called Bob. So maybe worth a few bob.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1 Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Henry Brooke Form: 411209 Age: 12 Weight: 10-10 Trainer became only the second woman to triumph when winning the race in 2009 with 100-1 shot Mon Mome, and this horse is given a similar chance. Owned by Brighton and Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom, he'll be looking for the same sort of form the promotion-chasing Seagulls have been showing. Aachen did notch up a decent victory off a low weight at Cheltenham in December, and would benefit from rain-softened ground. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 100-1 Trainer: Pat Fahy IRE Jockey: Davy Russell Form: 33-224 Age: 9 Weight: 10-09 Has a few of the Irish shrewdies looking in this direction. Must have schooled well. Will need a textbook round, but could be capable judged on third-placed finish in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival two years ago.

Also ran really well back at Cheltenham last month, and fits the age profile for winners. Could the story be Morning glory? Rating: 8/10 Odds: 25-1 Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Ryan Hatch Form: -24599 Age: 10 Weight: 10-09 One for the followers of TV show Friends perhaps, although has been pretty friendless in the betting. Last win came 15 runs ago, and it would be a major surprise if he doubled up here. Fifth in Grand Sefton Chase over National fences earlier in the season. Trainer has won the race twice - with Earth Summit in 1998 and Bindaree four years later. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1 Trainer: Jim Dreaper IRE Jockey: Jonathan Burke Form: 2-3942 Age: 10 Weight: 10-09 Marathon trip should suit horse who won 2015 Midlands National on soft ground and was Scottish Grand National runner-up in better conditions. Last of nine in the Becher Chase over the National fences this term.

Missed the cut in both 2014 and 2015, could it be third time lucky? Trainer, son of Tom who oversaw legendary chaser Arkle's career, has lots of big-race wins to his name. Rode Black Secret to second 45 years ago and trained him to finish third 12 months later. Rating: 8/10 Odds: 20-1 Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Daryl Jacob Form: 1P-623 Age: 8 Weight: 10-08 Switched to current stable in Ireland from France, where he won eight of 21 races, to be prepared for the National by man who triumphed with Silver Birch in 2007 and celebrated Cheltenham Gold Cup success with Don Cossack last month. Half-brother to fellow National runner Silviniaco Conti, has showed up well in Irish races. Daryl Jacob, who won on Neptune Collonges in 2012, replaces Jacques Ricou, who took the horse on a wide route last time out.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1 Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Nick Scholfield Form: 80312 Age: 8 Weight: 10-08 A half-brother to My Will, who was third in 2009, Unioniste started as a 16-1 shot for the 2015 race, but fell at the fifth fence. Second on last run, at Kelso, to National winner Many Clouds. Trainer and owner John Hales - a toy tycoon who made a fortune selling Teletubbies dolls - combined with another grey, Neptune Collonges, to win four years ago. You have to go back a tinky-winky bit longer for the last grey to triumph before that - Nicolaus Silver in 1961.

Rating: 7/10 Odds: 33-1 Trainer: Lucy Wadham Jockey: Harry Skelton Form: P02615 Age: 8 Weight: 10-08 Seeking to become the first winner trained at Newmarket, famed for its flat racing runners rather than those over jumps, since Gregalach in 1929. Steady jumper, booked ticket to ride at Liverpool with Sandown victory in February. Trainer lists Silviniaco Conti and Holywell as stand-out horses in the race. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 40-1 Trainer: Tony Martin IRE Jockey: Mark Walsh Form: 3-1U75 Age: 10 Weight: 10-08 Owned by millionaire JP McManus, famed for his betting prowess, and Gallant Oscar was the subject of significant support in the week before the race. Bought by McManus just before the 2015 Scottish Grand National for which he was a late withdrawal due to drying ground when favourite.

Went on to win well at Punchestown Festival for shrewd trainer, although the owner's retained jockey Barry Geraghty has sided with Shutthefrontdoor. Rating: 7/10 Odds: 20-1 Trainer: Philip Hobbs Jockey: Tom O'Brien Form: 1-1225 Age: 7 Weight: 10-08 Novice who is bidding to become the first seven-year-old to win the race since Bogskar in 1940. Running for Judith Luff, the widow of 1986 winner West Tip's owner Peter. Just three runs over fences but could be improving. Jockey, the nephew of top flat racing trainer Aidan O'Brien, finished second on McKelvey in 2007. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 40-1 Trainer: Kim Bailey Jockey: David Bass Form: 12-311 Age: 8 Weight: 10-08 Won eight of his 14 races and rated 12lb 'well-in' at the weights by official handicapper after 10-length Doncaster victory.

Trainer one of few to win the Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National. Triumphed at Aintree with Mr Frisk in 1990 but had some lean spells before bouncing back at his current Gloucestershire base. Owners Paul and Clare Rooney also have Kruzhlinin. Rating: 8/10 Odds: 10-1 Trainer: Philip Hobbs Jockey: Richard Johnson Form: 72-15 Age: 9 Weight: 10-07 German-bred finished 10th in the National when trained by Donald McCain. Switched to Philip Hobbs (second twice with What's Up Boys in 2002 and Balthazar King 2014) at start of season. Won well when beating Le Reve at Kempton in January before fifth at Cheltenham last month behind Aintree rivals Holywell and Morning Assembly. Champion jockey-elect seeks first Grand National win at 20th attempt.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 25-1 Trainer: Mouse Morris IRE Jockey: David Mullins Form: S32254 Age: 9 Weight: 10-07 Like a bit of Take That? Expect to hear their popular ditty Rule The World if this triumphs. Trained, like First Lieutenant by the enigmatic Mouse Morris, who is an odds-on shot to be chain smoking his way through proceedings. Second in last season's Irish Grand National but owners' retained jockey has plumped for First Lieutenant. Rating: 7/10 Odds: 40-1 Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Sean Bowen Form: 31-092 Age: 9 Weight: 10-06 One of six contenders for nine-times champion trainer who is seeking a 10th title in the face of opposition from Ireland's Willie Mullins. This is not the main hope on paper, though worth consideration based on his victory in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April 2015. Jockey, now 18, was only three years older than one of the runners, Oscar Time, last year.

Second ride in the National after finishing 11th on Mon Parrain. Just A Par might be just one for the golf fans in Masters week. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 50-1 Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Will Kennedy Form: 0/P-P0 Age: 10 Weight: 10-06 Two good wins on soft and heavy ground three years ago but little to show since. Rain could theoretically help the cause and trainer did win with 100-1 shot Mon Mome seven years ago but surely a similar shock couldn't happen again? Pulled up in two of last three starts suggests not. Rating: 5/10 Odds: 66-1 Trainer: Dermot McLoughlin IRE Jockey: Robert Dunne Form: 2-85P6 Age: 13 Weight: 10-06 Racing presenter and commentator Gary O'Brien will find the National a test on two fronts this year. The At The Races frontman is part of BBC Radio 5 live's commentary team, and also has a share in Vics Canvas. Will hope for a clear round, though is realistic about chances of victory.

The horse is 13 and no teenager has won for more than 90 years. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 66-1 Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Sam Waley-Cohen Form: 57-0U6 Age: 9 Weight: 10-06 Twelfth at Cheltenham and unseated rider in this season's Welsh National. Beat favourite Many Clouds in a novice chase at Haydock back in 2013 but sixth of eight runners on last outing, and champion trainer appears to have better chances elsewhere of a second National triumph. Late booking for jockey, who has won six times over the National fences in other races, after horse was sold to new owners on Thursday. Rating: 5/10 Odds: 66-1 Trainer: Willlie Mullins IRE Jockey: Katie Walsh Form: B-4935 Age: 9 Weight: 10-06 "A fabulous jumper with a nice weight," - so says trainer Willie Mullins. The grey was going OK when brought down early on by Balthazar King in 2015.

Beat this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack as a novice, but yet to succeed beyond two miles and six furlongs, and this is much further. Runs in the name of Susannah Ricci, wife of shades-wearing American banker Rich Ricci - his actual name. They have top horses including Vautour and Annie Power. Rating: 7/10 Odds: 66-1 Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Form: 1/6P-7 Age: 9 Weight: 10-06 Well thought of early in career, and was third in the RSA Chase won by subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere. Claimed the season's big chasing finale at Sandown over three miles and five furlongs in April 2014 but plagued by injury since and has raced just once since January 2015. Jockey won Champion Chase last month on Sprinter Sacre and rode Coneygree to victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last year.

Rating: 5/10 Odds: 50-1 Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: James Reveley Form: 111U26 Age: 7 Weight: 10-05 I'm sure you don't need me to tell you the name of this French-bred translates into English as Old Red Lion, so could be the toast of pubs bearing the same name. Clocked up a hat-trick earlier in the season, before form tailed off. The stats are also against a seven-year-old winning, Rating: 5/10 Odds: 66-1 Trainer: Charlie Longsdon Jockey: Aidan Coleman Form: 45-15 Age: 8 Weight: 10-05 Lightly raced since finishing 10th in the Irish Grand National two years ago, and won at Ascot in October. Interesting jockey booking - he normally rides for Venetia Williams, who runs Aachen and Katenko. Having said all of that, the lack of a victory beyond two miles and seven furlongs is an issue. This is the best part of two miles further.

Rating: 5/10 Odds: 66-1 Trainer: Tom George Jockey: Paddy Brennan Form: 12-671 Age: 10 Weight: 10-05 Runner-up last year, beaten less than two lengths. Is now 2lb better off at the weights with the winner. Trained by Tom George in Laurie Lee country in the Cotswolds, the stable has been firing in plenty of winners lately. With a bit of equine intervention, there's plenty who think the Saint could go marching in too, though soft ground might temper enthusiasm slightly. Rating: 8/10 Odds: 16-1 Trainer: Henry de Bromhead IRE Jockey: Andrew Lynch Form: 7P8-46 Age: 9 Weight: 10-04 Irish handicapper told me he was the best-weighted horse - but that was for the 2014 race - and ended up running in the Irish version where he was pulled up. Did finish third in the Irish Grand National three years ago, and trainer did send out Sizing Europe to many big-race successes. However, despite low weight, there appear to be more logical candidates.

Rating: 6/10 Odds: 100-1 Trainer: Rebeccca Curtis Jockey: Trevor Whelan Form: 77F38 Age: 9 Weight: 10-04 Named in honour of the former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour. The ex-midfielder has no connection with the horse but says he will be backing it. Trained in Wales for stable that came close with the third-placed Teaforthree three years ago. You never know but the Gunners are a much shorter price to lift the Premier League than The Romford Pele is for the big race. Rating: 6/10 Odds: 50-1 History History It is illegal for anyone aged under 18 to gamble Grand National History The Grand National at Aintree has been a British sporting institution since 1839, when a horse called Lottery won the inaugural running and Captain Becher parted company with his horse at a now world famous brook. In those days, the horses had to jump a stone wall, cross a stretch of ploughed land and finish over two hurdles. The race was then known as the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase.

The course was founded by William Lynn, a syndicate head and proprietor of the Waterloo Hotel, on land he leased in Aintree from William Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton. Lynn set out a course, built a grandstand, and Lord Sefton laid the foundation stone on 7 February 1829. There is actually much debate regarding the first official Grand National; some leading published historians, including John Pinfold, now prefer the idea that the first running was in 1836 and was won by The Duke. This same horse won again in 1837, while Sir William was the winner in 1838. These races have long been disregarded because of the belief that they took place at Maghull and not Aintree. However, some historians have unearthed evidence in recent years that suggest those three races were run over the same course at Aintree and were regarded as having been Grand Nationals up until the mid-1860. Contemporary newspaper reports place all the 1836-38 races at Aintree although the 1839 race is the first described as "nationalï¿½.

To date, though, calls for the Nationals of 1836ï¿½1838 to be restored to the record books have been unsuccessful. In 1838 and 1839 three significant events occurred to transform the Liverpool race from a small local affair to a national event. Firstly, the Great St. Albans Chase, which had clashed with the steeplechase at Aintree, was not renewed after 1838 leaving a major hole in the chasing calendar. Secondly, the railway arrived in Liverpool, enabling transport to the course by rail for the first time. Finally, a committee was formed to better organise the event. These factors led to a more highly publicised race in 1839 which attracted a larger field of top quality horses and riders, greater press coverage and an increased attendance on race day. Over time the first three runnings of the event were quickly forgotten to secure the 1839 race its place in history as the first official Grand National. By the 1840s, Lynn's ill-health blunted his enthusiasm for Aintree.

Edward Topham, a respected handicapper and prominent member of Lynn's syndicate, began to exert greater influence over the National. He turned the chase into a handicap in 1843 after it had been a weight-for-age race for the first four years, and took over the land lease in 1848. One century later, the Topham family bought the course outright. Later in the century the race was the setting of a thriller by the popular novelist Henry Hawley Smart. The Grand National has produced a colourful array of stories throughout its illustrious past. Here are our favourites, including some famous video clips: Red Rum It was over 40 years ago now that Red Rum recorded the first of the three victories in the Grand National that earned him pride of place in the record books forever. He still remains the only horse to have won the Grand National three times and, as that statistic suggests, the great horse was a phenomenon.

Bred to be a sprinter, Red Rum went on to win the gruelling four-and-a-half mile chase in 1973, 1974 and 1977, as well as finishing second on his other two starts, to become the greatest Grand National performer ever. All of this was achieved after overcoming the debilitating bone disease pedalosteitis, which should have rendered him unraceable. However, fate stepped in: Red Rum was at probably the only yard in the country where the training took place on a beach. The sea water, into which trainer Donald ï¿½Gingerï¿½ McCain banished Red Rum after viewing the hobbling horse, worked an amazing transformation. On 31 March, 1973, he started 9/1 favourite for his first Grand National. However, by the time the runners had reached the Chair the giant Australian chaser, Crisp, who was shouldering top weight of 12st (a weight that is now forbidden in the National), had built up a massive lead and appeared unstoppable with four fences to go.

But, conceding 23lb to Red Rum, his stamina started to wane and he slowly began to falter at the famous Elbow after being more than 15 lengths in front of his rival at the last. Red Rum gradually wore Crisp down, getting up on the line to beat him by three-quarters of a length in a then record time of 9 min 1.9 sec, knocking nearly 20 seconds off Golden Miller's previous best under 12st 2lb in 1934 - this new record would stand for the next 16 years. You can watch this incredible race and finish here: Red Rum was never better than in the 1973/74 season when he won four more races before collecting his second Grand National, this time carrying the maximum weight of 12st. Giving 1lb to the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, L'Escargot, Red Rum started third favourite at 11/1, racing off a mark nearly two stone higher than for his 1973 victory. He was the first to achieve the double since Reynoldstown in 1936.

Only three weeks later, Red Rum won the Scottish Grand National as the 11/8 favourite under 11st 13lb. It was then presumed that, having reached a zenith, Red Rum's talent would gradually decline in keeping with the rolling years. Between the autumn of 1974 and the spring of 1976, he ran in 18 chases, winning twice and being placed seven times. But he also gallantly failed to resist first L'Escargot and then Rag Trade in the 1975 and 1976 Grand National's. The 1976/77 season began dismally. After an initial small win at Carlisle, Red Rum appeared totally lacklustre in his next four races, and even McCain began to think that he might have "gone". A foul winter had waterlogged the Southport sands, making them useless for training purposes, but Red Rum finally showed something like his old sparkle in his prep race for the 1977 Grand National, the Greenall Whitley Chase at Haydock.

Worries about the now 12-year-old gelding's unwonted bulk abated when, in his last gallop before Aintree, he dazzled McCain and assorted members of the press who had gathered to watch. Ridden by Tommy Stack, as he had been in 1976, Red Rum tackled his fifth Grand National in 1977. In the lead from the eighth last, Red Rum appeared momentarily to have a challenger in Churchtown Boy, but the latter's mistake at the third last compared with Red Rum's foot-perfect agility soon settled things in Rummyï¿½s favour. The noise of the cheering crowd was deafening as he led up the long run-in, winning by 25 lengths under 11st 8lb and you can watch the historic race below: In 1976, Red Rum had given Eyecatcher 17lb and beat her by eight lengths; in 1977, he gave her 21lb and a 31-length beating, rating an improvement at the age of 12 of two stone. The treble, five years in the making, had been achieved.

The celebrations in Southport which received the three-time Grand National winner home were long and rapturous. But the greatest Aintree horse of all time was not yet finished. Up until the morning of the 1978 Grand National, Red Rum was being trained for a sixth attempt at the great race. He had run well all season, amassing two seconds and a fourth under mighty weights in his five races. But, after his customary pre-National work-out on the day before the big race, Red Rum pulled up lame. The problem proved to be a hairline fracture and the horse had to be retired. Retired, that is, from the realm of racing. But Red Rum's career as a celebrity continued - a role to which he was as well-adapted as to tackling the Aintree fences. He thrived as the centre of attention, as anyone who saw the 1977 episode of Sports Personality of the Year Awards can testify. Hearing the voice of Tommy Stack, who was speaking from his hospital bed with a broken pelvis, Red Rum immediately pricked his ears, displaying the great intelligence and showmanship so evident in the horse throughout his life. He went on to lead the parade in many Grand Nationals.

Red Rum died on Wednesday, October 18, 1995 and was buried by the winning post on Aintree's Grand National course. His grave is marked by an engraved stone listing his Grand National record, and a life-size bronze commemorates this legendary competitor, along with a race staged at the Grand National meeting, the Red Rum Chase, named in the great horse's memory. Aldaniti There was hardly a dry eye among the crowd when Aldaniti won the Grand National in 1981. It was a victory for both courage and determination in the face of adversity. In late 1979, Bob Champion, the successful jockey, was told that he had cancer and only months to live, while Aldaniti had almost been retired because of leg trouble. Against all the odds, the gallant partnership held on to beat Spartan Missile, ridden by John Thorne, a 54-year-old grandfather and amateur rider. The winner's true-life story inspired the 1983 film Champions, starring John Hurt. Aldaniti died at the age of 27 in March, 1997.

Bob Champion made a full recovery and, with the help of Aldaniti, has raised millions of pounds for cancer research. Aldaniti's name was a jumble from the names of four grandchildren of his breeder, Tommy Barron: ALastair and DAvid Cook plus NIcola and TImothy Barron. The Pitmans The Pitman family has a special association with the Grand National. In 1983, Jenny Pitman became the first woman to train a winner of the race when Corbiere beat Greasepaint. She followed up this victory in 1995 with Royal Athlete who succeeded at the long odds of 40/1, but experienced heartbreak when Esha Ness "won" the 1993 void race. Mark, her son, must have gone through similar emotions when he was caught in the dying strides by Seagram whilst riding Garrison Savannah in 1991, also trained by his mother. Garrison Savannah was bidding for an historic double ï¿½ and to emulate the great Golden Miller ï¿½ having won the Cheltenham Gold Cup a few weeks earlier.

Years earlier, Richard Pitman, then-husband to Jenny and Mark's father, was caught even closer to the winning post by Red Rum, the Aintree specialist, when he partnered the gallant top weight Crisp in 1973. Mrs Pitman was awarded an OBE in the 1998 New Year's Honours List and in the same year fought a successful battle against cancer. She has now retired from training as, for the time being, has her son Mark who carried on the family tradition for a while (he trained Smarty to finish second in 2001 when only four horses completed the course in terrible conditions, and sixth in 2004). Jenny Pitman was also one of the first batch of inductees to the Grand National Legends (the Hall of Fame-style initiative that was established in 2010), along with Red Rum and his trainer, Ginger McCain. Watch Corbiere win the 1983 Grand National ahead of Greasepaint: Devon Loch The 1956 National is remembered more for the defeat of Devon Loch than for the victory of ESB.

Owned by Her Majesty The Queen Mother, Devon Loch had the race won when he inexplicably gave a half-leap just 50 yards from the finish, sprawling and almost unseating Dick Francis, the unfortunate jockey, and leaving the crowd stunned. Afterwards, The Queen Mother famously said "That's racing". Debate still rages as to why the incident happened - according to some reports, Devon Loch suffered a cramp in the hindquarters and this caused the collapse. However, other reports claim that a shadow thrown by the water jump (which horses only jump on the first circuit of the Aintree course) may have confused Devon Loch into thinking another leap was required and - unsure as to whether he should or not - he half-jumped and collapsed. Reports that the horse had suffered a heart attack were dismissed, as Devon Loch recovered far too quickly for that to have been the case. Whatever the truth, the incident so puzzled Francis that he became a thriller writer, inventing mysteries himself and over the decades Francis learned to be as philosophical. As did his wife Mary who once said that had he won the Grand National there would have been no bestselling autobiography and no thrillers.

"As I said in my autobiography, an ambulance came by and the driver said, ï¿½Jump in the back!ï¿½ I was never more pleased to get away from all the people who were rushing towards me. What happened? Iï¿½ve thought about it time and time again...I remember jumping the last fence and I could hear the crescendo of cheering building up in the stands. There were 500,000 people there that day. They were all cheering for the Queen Mother. She was there and the Queen was there and Princess Margaret was there." Francis is quoted as saying. "I never thought about it at the time but I heard them cheering and I just rode to the finish. I was winning easily. I didnï¿½t have to pick up my stick or anything like that. Iï¿½ve looked at the newsreel time and again and as the horse approaches the water jump ï¿½ which this time round he didnï¿½t need to cross ï¿½ you can see him prick up his ears and gallop past it. As he pricked up its ears ï¿½ Christ!

ï¿½ his hindquarters refused to act and down he went on to his belly. How I didnï¿½t fall off him I donï¿½t know." Devon Loch is a metaphor now used in modern day sports and otherwise to explain the sudden, last-minute failure of teams or a sportsman to complete an expected victory, e.g. "United can only hope Arsenal do a Devon Loch." Dick Francis died of natural causes on 14 February 2010 at his Caribbean home in Grand Cayman, by which time he had written 40 international best-sellers. Watch Devon Loch sprawl on the run-in to the 1956 Grand National, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory and allowing ESB to claim an unlikely success: Devon Loch spread-eagled on the run-in at the 1956 Grand National Foinavon Foinavon sensationally won the 1967 National in bizarre circumstances. At the smallest fence on the second circuit, the 23rd, the riderless Popham Down cut right across the course causing a pile-up that almost brought the entire field to a standstill.

John Buckingham, Foinavon's jockey, was able to steer his mount wide of the melee and thus won on the 100/1 outsider. The Aintree executive named the fence in honour of the horse - fence 7 or 23 (depending on the circuit), at 4ft 6in, one of the smallest jumps on the course, is situated between the more daunting Becher's Brook and the Canal Turn. Foinavon has sometimes been likened to a slow plodding carthorse, but records show that his 1967 winning time was one of the fastest in this gruelling race. Equally, this so called no-hoper had taken part in some top class races before attempting the Grand National and he had finished fourth in a King George and took part in a Gold Cup at Cheltenham, so perhaps his odds of 100/1 may have been a bit generous (although the Tote SP was 444/1). Nevertheless, his owner was so unenthusiastic about his chances that he was not even at Aintree for the great race.

Buckingham said later that at the time he did not realise that they were the only pair to jump the fence at the first attempt but he just kept going. Although some 17 horses remounted and finished the race the distance Foinavon had "stolen" at the obstacle meant that he led over the final seven fences to go on to collect his prize, 15 lengths clear of the fast-closing favourite, Honey End, and Red Alligator, who went on to win in 1968. Foinavon did also run in the following year's Grand National but fell or was brought down at the water jump. Foinavon was at one time owned by Anne, Duchess of Westminster, whose colours were also carried by the much superior Arkle - both were named after Scottish mountains. She also owned Last Suspect who won the 1985 Grand National.

Watch the 1967 Grand National, courtesy of British Pathï¿½ (scroll to around 1 minutes, 20 seconds to see all the drama unfold): The commentary of Michael O'Hehir of the carnage at the 23rd fence ranks among the most famous in the history of BBC televised sport and is often shown when BBC Sport puts together nostalgic montages of great sporting moments. O'Hehir received particular respect from his peers for the speed and unflustered coolness with which he identified Foinavon as the horse emerging from the mï¿½lï¿½e. O'Hehir later said in an interview that it was precisely the unfamiliarity of Foinavon's colours that made him so instantly recognisable during the race. O'Hehir visited the weighing room before the race, as is the custom of many National commentators, to familiarise himself more clearly with the colours of the silks but found himself completely stumped when looking at the black with red and yellow braces being worn by John Buckingham. Eventually O'Hehir had to ask Buckingham who his mount was.

A confused O'Hehir said that his racecard showed two-tone green quarters, as worn by the rider in the Cheltenham Gold Cup a few weeks earlier, but Buckingham explained that the owner felt green to be unlucky and so had registered new colours for the National. The "Iron" Duke of Alburquerque Beltrï¿½n Alfonso Osorio y Dï¿½ez de Rivera, known as the "Iron" Duke of Albuquerque (1918-1994), surely ranks as the worst jockey in horse-racing history. After receiving a film of the Grand National as a gift for his eighth birthday, the Duke became obsessed with it: "I said then that I would win that race one day," he later recalled. He nearly died trying. This magnificently barking mad Spanish aristocrat and amateur jockey entered the Grand National seven times with impressively consistent results. Generally he would start with the others, gallop briefly and then wake up in the Royal Liverpool Infirmary (where apparently he always booked a private room when he rode in the race). Each year, Sir Peter O'Sullevan would gravely intone: "And the Duke of Albuquerque's gone".

On his first attempt in 1952, he fell from his horse at the sixth fence, nearly broke his neck and woke up later in hospital with a cracked vertebra. His next try was in 1963, when he fell from his horse yet again, this time at the fourth fence. Undeterred, he returned in 1965 but again fell from his horse after it collapsed underneath him, breaking his leg. His ineptitude was so apparent that in 1963 bookies even offered odds of 66/1 - against him even finishing the race atop his horse! He returned in 1973 when his stirrup broke, although he clung on for eight fences before being sent into inevitable orbit. In 1974, after having sixteen screws removed from a leg he had broken after falling in another race, he also fell while training for the Grand National and broke his collarbone.

Nevertheless, he then competed in a plaster cast, this time actually managing to finish the race for the only time in his splendid career, but only in eighth (and last) place aboard Nereo: "I sat like a sack of potatoes and gave the horse no help" he said after the race. One anecdote from this race is that he barged into Ron Barry at the second Canal Turn; Barry said "What the f*** are you doing?" to which he replied: "My dear chap I haven't a clue...I've never got this far before!" In 1976, he sustained his most serious injuries after being trampled in a race by several other horses. He suffered seven broken ribs, several fractured vertebrae, a broken wrist and thigh, and a major concussion, and was in a coma for two days. After recovering he announced, at the age of 57, that he planned to race yet again. Race organisers wisely revoked his license "for his own safety". Though the Iron Duke never won the Grand National, he certainly broke more bones than any other jockey in attempting to do so.

Notable Dates In Grand National History 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. 1887: GAMECOCK wins the National at 20-1 and follows up by winning the Champion Chase over the big fences the very next day. 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. 1907: Jockey Alf Newey brings EREMON home in front, despite riding without stirrups from the second fence.

1927: Ted Leader rides SPRIG to a popular victory in the first Grand National to be covered by a BBC radio commentary. 1928: On the day of the race, before it had begun, TIPPERARY TIM'S jockey William Dutton heard a friend call out to him: "Billy boy, you'll only win if all the others fall down!ï¿½. These words turned out to be true, as 41 of the 42 starters fell during the race. It was run during misty weather conditions with the going very heavy. As the field approached the Canal Turn on the first circuit, Easter Hero fell, causing a pile-up from which only seven horses emerged with seated jockeys. By the penultimate fence this number had reduced to three, with Great Span looking most likely to win ahead of Billy Barton and Tipperary Tim. Great Span's saddle then slipped, leaving Billy Barton in the lead until he too then fell. Although Billy Barton's jockey, Tommy Cullinan, managed to remount and complete the race, it was Tipperary Tim who came in first at odds of 100-1.

With only two riders completing the course, this remains a record for the fewest number of finishers. 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. In the 1934 Grand National, Golden Miller set a new course record of 9 min 20.4s. That win was in the middle of five consecutive Cheltenham Gold Cup victories 1947: CAUGHOO beats 56 opponents at a mist-shrouded Aintree and is then accused of only going round once. 1956: DEVON LOCH and jockey Dick Francis, looking certain to give The Queen Mother victory when clear on the run-in, suddenly sprawl 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.

1974: Grand National character the Duke of Alburquerque completes the course for the one and only time in numerous attempts on NEREO, despite breaking his collarbone only a week before the race. 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 fairytale 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 Grand 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 30 out of the 39 jockeys began the race despite a false start being called, leading to a void result for the seven horses who finished. John White passes the post first on the Jenny Pitman-trained ESHA NESS, only to discover the race has been declared void. The 1993 Grand National - the race that never was. Racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan described it as "the greatest disaster in the history of the Grand National" 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 after her first - with ROYAL ATHLETE. 1997: The National has to be postponed after two coded bomb threats were received from the IRA. The course was secured by police who then evacuated jockeys, race personnel, and local residents along with 60,000 spectators. Cars and coaches were locked in the course grounds, leaving some 20,000 people without their vehicles over the weekend. With limited accommodation available in the city, local residents opened their doors and took in many of those stranded. This prompted tabloid headlines such as "We'll fight them on the Becher's", in reference to Winston Churchill's famous war-time speech. The race was run 48 hours later on the Monday, with the meeting organisers offering 20,000 tickets with free admission. The rearranged race was won in spectacular style by 14/1 shot LORD GYLLENE.

A mass evacuation of Aintree racecourse took place on Saturday 5 April 1997 1999: Father-and-son trainer-jockey team Tommy and Paul Carberry combine to land a first Irish win for 24 years with BOBBYJO. 2000: Ted and 20-year-old Ruby Walsh emulate the feat of their compatriots 12 months previously as PAPILLON lands a gamble, backed from a morning 33-1 into 10-1 before taking the prize. 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 unscathed. 2003: MONTY'S PASS lands a massive gamble, with owner Mike Fuller netting close to ï¿½1million from ante-post bets. The horse is backed from 40-1 into 16-1 and romps home. 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. John Smithï¿½s take over from Martell as the main sponsor. 2006: John Smith's launched the John Smith's People's Race which gave ten members of the public the chance to ride in a flat race at Aintree on Grand National day. In total, thirty members of the public took part in the event before it was discontinued in 2010. 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. The race also carries record prize money of ï¿½800,000. 2009: MON MOME becomes the biggest-priced winner since Foinavon when powering home at 100-1 for trainer Venetia Williams and jockey Liam Treadwell, who was having his first ride in the race.

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. McCoy went on to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award that year ï¿½ the first person from the world of horse racing to do so. The 2010 renewal was also the first horse race to be televised in HD in the UK. 2011: Another emotional victory as BALLABRIGGSï¿½ success on a sweltering day at Aintree allows Donald McCain to join his legendary father, Ginger, who trained both Red Rum and Amberleigh House, in the Grand National record books. 2012: One of the closest finishes in the raceï¿½s illustrious history sees NEPTUNE COLLOGNES beat Sunyhillboy by a nose, giving Paul Nicholls his first Grand National success. Katie Walsh achieves the highest finishing position by a lady jockey by claiming third place on Seabass, trained by her father Ted.

2013: Legendary showjumper Harvey Smith and his wife Sue send out 66-1 AURORAS ENCORE to cause a shock in a race in which only two of the forty runners fell on the first circuit. Fellow trainer Evan Williams has to settle for a place for the fifth time in as many years. 2014: Part time trainer, Dr Richard Newland, landed the first ever ï¿½1 million renewal of the race, courtesy of PINEAU DE RE. Williamï¿½s amazing run continued with Alvarado fourth for the Welsh handler. 2015: Incredibly, another place for Williams with Alvarado fourth again behind MANY CLOUDS, who made a mockery of the trends as an eight year old carrying 11st 9lbs to land another victory in the race for Trevor Hemmings.

© Where To Bet Ltd 2004-16 (contact us: wheretobet@hotmail.com) Grand National 2016 It is illegal for anyone aged under 18 to gamble Grand National Welcome to your complete guide to the Aintree Grand National - an indispensable aid to finding the winner of the world's most famous and prestigious horse race. We have tipped five of the last 12 Grand National winners, including Pineau De Re at odds of 33-1 in 2014 and Neptune Collonges at 40-1 in 2012, so be sure to check out our 2016 Grand National tips . Ladbrokes are again paying FIVE places for each-way bets on the National instead of the usual four - which rewarded people who backed the favourite Shutthefrontdoor last year, who finished fifth. CLICK HERE to claim your 5 places with Ladbrokes.

The 2016 Crabbie's Grand National takes place on Saturday 9th April and a total of 22 races will be run during the Grand National 2016 Festival, which starts with Grand Opening Day on Thursday 7th and is followed by Ladies Day on Friday 8th, before Saturday's Grand National Day. Aintree Racecourse will host over 150,000 racegoers across the three days, while an estimated worldwide audience of 600 million people will tune in to see the Grand National live on television on Saturday. Our site contains everything you need to know about this magical race which is one of the highlights of the sporting year. Indeed the four-and-a-half mile marathon event captures the imagination of its millions of watchers around the world, thanks to its ability to consistently produce thrilling finishes and heart-warming stories, as horse and rider try to conquer the mighty Aintree fences. The Grand National has made the likes of Red Rum, Aldaniti, Jenny Pitman and Ginger McCain household names, whilst fences such as Becher's Brook, The Chair and the Canal Turn are equally familiar.

Indeed, given the raceï¿½s long history, it is no surprise that so many milestones have been reached and remarkable stories have unfolded. For example, no horse has run in the Grand National more times than Manifesto, who competed in eight renewals of the race between 1895 and 1904, winning twice, in 1897 and 1899, and finishing third on three other occasions. The Aintree Grand National was first run in 1839 and Bruce Hobbs, aged 17, was the youngest winning jockey in 1938, on Battleship, the smallest horse ever to win. Dick Saunders, aged 48, was the oldest successful rider on Grittar in 1982, his first and only Grand National ride - after which he announced his immediate retirement. Jenny Pitman was the first woman to train a Grand National winner, capturing the race for the first time with Corbiere in 1983. She succeeded again with Royal Athlete in 1995 and finished second with Garrison Savannah in 1991.

In 2009, Venetia Williams became the second woman to saddle a National winner, with Mon Mome (11 years after she had actually ridden in the race). Plenty of the raceï¿½s most fascinating stories revolve around its fearsome obstacles. Did you know that the least number of horses to complete the race is two, in 1928: Tipperary Tim and Billy Barton (who remounted)? Likewise, in 2001, when Red Marauder beat Smarty, only four of the forty horses completed, with two of these having to be remounted. See our Grand National History and Facts and Figures sections for more fascinating Grand National stories - charting this most famous of horse races down the years. With history in mind, we are advocates of learning lessons from the past when trying to find the winners of the future. For example, did you know that prior to last yearï¿½s renewal, only Red Rum had managed to carry more than 11st 5lbs to victory since 1957? Many Clouds broke that sequence with his win in 2015 under a welter burden of 11st 9lbs.

Just as noteworthy is the fact that no seven-year-old has won for more than 70 years and we have to go back to 1915 to find the last successful six-year-old. In fact, since 1992, only eight of the six and seven-year-olds to take their chance have even completed the course (including Cause of Causes last season and Kruzhlinin the year before that). Experience, therefore, counts in the Grand National and 17 of the last 20 winners (including 10 of the last 11) were aged either 9, 10 or 11. In that period there have also been two eight-year-old and one twelve-year-old winner, although the last teenager to win the race was over 90 years ago (Sergeant Murphy in 1923) and none have made the frame since 1969 (Hello Bud was a gallant 7th in 2013 at the grand old age of 14, whilst Tranquil Sea was also 7th last year aged 13).

For those wanting to see this magnificent event live, we have all of the information youï¿½ll need to make the most of your visit to Aintree, including information on getting to the racecourse, ticket details, and a summary of all of the enclosures and facilities, many of which have been significantly upgraded in recent seasons. As well as its fascinating past, Aintreeï¿½s unique course contributes to the mystique surrounding the event. The fence-building programme starts approximately three weeks before the Grand National meeting is run, with around 150 tonnes of spruce branches sourced and transported from forests in the Lake District. Each fence is made from a wooden frame and covered with the distinctive green spruce. The Grand National course remains the ultimate test of horse and jockey. The race comprises two full circuits of a 2ï¿½ mile (3,600 metres) racetrack, where challengers face some of the most testing fences in the world of jump racing including Becherï¿½s Brook and The Chair, now two of the most well-known landmarks in the country.

Becher's Brook, the sixth fence on the first circuit, was named after Captain Martin Becher who was unseated from his mount, Conrad, and fell into the ditch when leading in the first ever Grand National in 1839. "Water tastes disgusting without the benefits of whisky" he reflected and the obstacle bore his name from that day. When it was first run at Aintree in 1839, the race featured a solid brick wall as one of the obstacles, although that was abandoned after five years. Ahead of the 2013 renewal, some of the fences were re-designed for safety reasons and to aid animal welfare. While all 16 fences still look the same, the heart of four obstacles has been changed. The third and 11th fences, which are open ditches, have been built using natural birch as their cores, while the 13th and 14th (which are the last two fences second time round in the National) now have plastic birch. These have replaced the traditional rigid timber frames, which had foam padding along the leading edge, but were solid. The hope is that the alternative will be more forgiving. Find out more in our Course and Fences section.

The Grand National is also one of the rare major sporting events in which amateurs still can, and do, take on professionals. This applies to both trainers and jockeys and in the 167 running's of the Grand National it has been won on no less than 41 occasions by a horse ridden by an amateur jockey, although it's been 25 years since Marcus Armytage won in record time on Mr Frisk in 1990. This is hardly surprising as the sport has become ever more professional and the prize money, now over ï¿½1 million under the sponsorship of Crabbieï¿½s, has risen so dramatically that few trainers or owners will entrust potential winners to jockeys still perceived in some quarters as to be inexperienced or part-timers. However, part of the Grand National's enduring charm is not the amateurs who succeeded, but those riders from the Corinthian ranks whose fruitless, and often hopeless, attempts to conqueror the fearsome fences that have added so much colour to the event.

They have included: the Duque de Alberquerque, Tim Durant, Aidan Oï¿½Connell and Brod Munro-Wilson - a mix of playboys and men who worked as deep sea divers for six months a year and spent the other six trying to win the National. We may not see their like again, but the amateurï¿½s long love affair with the Grand National is not over yet, proven by 2011 runner-up Oscar Time - who was ridden by amateur jockey and millionaire businessman, Sam Waley-Cohen. The same horse and jockey were also an admirable fourth in 2014 (before going on to win the Becher Chase that December) and 15th last year. © Where To Bet Ltd 2004-16 (contact us: wheretobet@hotmail.com)

Question: In 2009, who became only the second woman to train a Grand National winning horse?
Answer: VENETIA WILLIAMS