4 of 5

Write now Article Tools

Silver Birch at 33 to 1 has won the Grand National. Second was McKelvey. Slim Pickings came third.

The world's most prestigious and famous steeplechase was run this afternoon at Aintree race track in Liverpool.

70,000 race goers packed the course on this the warmest day of the year so far and 65million people watched it on televisions the world over.

The four mile course was run by a starting line-up of forty horses and the finishers jumped 30 fences. The most famous by far is Brechers Brook which is a modest four feet ten inches high on take off, but two feet lower on landing. During the race this hurdle has to be negotiated twice. The Chair, another favourite hurdle is the highest at five foot three, and the widest. To add interest there is a six foot ditch to negotiate in front of the hedge!

The race has been run at Aintree since 1839 and it's most famous winner was Red Rum who won three times and came second twice back in the 70's. Today, pride of place at Aintree goes to a statue of this much loved horse that's name, bizarrely, spells murder backwards! Whilst Citation is often referred to as the greatest race horse of all time, Red Rum is certainly the one most fondly remembered.

So, fortunes won and fortunes lost! Most pubs and offices had sweepstakes and folk who never normally bet simply can't resist a flutter on the National.

I, as usual, picked the wrong one!

Learn more about this author, Keith Hillman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Horse biography: Citation?
We want to hear your view. Write now!