The 172nd Grand National takes place on April 6th 2019 at Aintree racecourse in Liverpool, with some of the top national hunt horses in the sport entered to take on the famous course and attempt to put their names in the record books.
The Grand National
The Grand National is an annual steeplechase race held at Aintree racecourse in Liverpool, with a massive prize fund of over £1 million and £500,000 going to the winner.
This grueling test of stamina, heart, and quality is ran over a distance of 4 miles 514 yards, with thirty fences across two laps of the track. Fences are bigger than in most normal jumps races, creating the ultimate test for both horse and jockey.
First ran in 1839, horses must be aged over seven to enter and be rated at least 120 by the British horse racing authority, as well as previously placing in a recognised chase race of more than 3 miles.
Our Grand National 2019 bonus guide will help visitors get the best betting bonuses for the National.
Last Ten Winners
|
Year |
Horse |
Age |
Weight |
Odds |
|
2018 |
Tiger Roll |
8 |
10-13 |
10/1 |
|
2017 |
One For Arthur |
8 |
10-11 |
14/1 |
|
2016 |
Rule The World |
9 |
10-07 |
33/1 |
|
2015 |
Many Clouds |
8 |
11-09 |
25/1 |
|
2014 |
Pineau De Re |
11 |
10-06 |
25/1 |
|
2013 |
Auroras Encore |
11 |
10-03 |
66/1 |
|
2012 |
Neptune Collonges |
11 |
11-06 |
33/1 |
|
2011 |
Ballabriggs |
10 |
11-00 |
14/1 |
|
2010 |
Don’t Push It |
10 |
11-05 |
10/1JF |
|
2009 |
Mon Mome |
9 |
11-00 |
100/1 |
As you can see from the list of the last ten winners, favourites don’t seem to enjoy the best of fortunes in this famous race. In fact, just nine favourites or joint favourites have won the Grand National since the end of World War 2. Since Earth Summit in 1998, just three favourites or joint favourites have won.
Winning Trends
Age
Just looking at the list of the previous ten winners shows you that the winning horse is usually aged between 8 and 11. The race was dominated by 10 and 11 year olds in the early part of this decade but three of the last four races have been won by an 8 year old. Although horses aged 9 have won almost a quarter of all Grand National races, so could be the optimum age when choosing a selection.
The last horse under the age of 8 to win the Grand National was Bogskar in 1940 and Amberleigh House is the only horse aged over 11 to be successful since 1989.
Weight
Only one horse in the last ten winners weighed under 10-06 and only one weighed over 11-06. Four of the last five winners have weighed between 10-06 and 10-13, which gives an optimum weight of around 10-09/10-10.
Thirty of the last thirty four winners have weighed 11st or under.
Stamina
Horses must have placed in a recognised race of over 3 miles to even gain entry into the Grand National but successful horses tend to have won a top class race of over 3 miles before entering the National.
Experience
It also makes sense that horses who have previously finished the Grand National have more of a chance of winning the race, as they know what to expect and it’s usually the same horse/jockey pairing as before.
Jumping Ability
Most horses who win the Grand National have fallen or unseated their rider less than twice in their entire career.
Other Factors
The above trends show what to look at when choosing your selection for the 2019 Grand National but there are some other factors to consider as well.
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The last mare to win the race was Nickel Coin in 1951, with only thirteen mares being successful in the history of the race
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Neptune Collonges became the first grey horse to win the Grand National since 1961, when winning in 2012
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Seven Irish-trained horses have won since the turn of the century, including two of the last three
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No female jockey has ever ridden a winner of the Grand National, with Katie Walsh’s third place on Seabass in 2012 being the best finish for a female rider.
Our recommended bookmaker for the Grand National is Betfair.