Like the previous year’s race, the 2016 Grand National had a £1 million prize fund. This season, fewer horses entered with a decrease from 40 to 39 in total. Besides fielding a historically low total number of eligible racers, punters excitement at watching  the event over 4 miles 514 yards was at fever pitch.

The 2016 National title went to Davis Mullins atop Rule the World. This impossibly determined couple bagged owners an impressive £561,300 for winning (of which the jockey will take a portion!). Having been trained by Mouse Morris, the 33/1 shot victor outshone his neaarest rival to the tune of 6 lengths.

Second place went to David Bass, a chaser who ably steered The Last Samuri to a second place finish behind the unyielding Mullins/Rule the World duo. David Bass/The Last Samuri gained owners £211,100. Vic Canvas, mounted by Robert Dunne, overcame huge 100/1 shot betting odds to finish third, and thus take home £105,500.

The race was broadcast live on Channel 4. This marked the very last airing turn since the prestigious broadcast rights were to move to ITV in 2017. BBC Radio simultaneously covered Aintree’s deafening roars so there was no excuse to miss the action!

A great picture of 2017 Grand National winner  One For Arthur, ridden by Derek Fox.

The 2015 Grand National is the 168th Grand National, once again held at Aintree Racecourse – on 11 April 2015. The prize money matched the previous years record breaking £1 million so there was a lot on he line for those aking part in the much anticipated race!

Entries for the race closed on 3 February 2015 with 115 eligible applications, this was then whittled down to the usual 40 places, a process that wasn’t exactly a formality due to the number of applications this time around.

The 40 jockey – horse duos were set to fight for the aforementioned £1 million and as usual it was a competitive and exciting affair. Few injuries occured and fatalities, which is always good to hear.

Riding Many Clouds – previously trained by Oliver Sherwood – Leighton Aspell registered a rare second consecutive Grand National victory. Trevor Hemmings, the owner, bagged yet another top spot, having claimed the Grand National prizes before in 2005 and 2011.

So to round up: The triumphant pair  were Many Clouds/Leighton Aspell (£561,300) who won by 1 and 3/4 lengths as a 25/1 shot favorite. Coming second was the commendably inspirited Saint Are / Paddy Brennan duo (£211,100). Finally, the third place was successfully grabbed by Monbeg Dude / Liam Tread; who also claimed a worthy reward of £105,500.

As the longtime spnsor, John Smith, moved aside, The 2014 Crabbies Grand National marked the 167th occasion the event had taken place. The internationally popular event took place, as usual, at Aintree Racecourse, this time on 5th April 2014. The race involved 40 runners who fought for this year’s unprecedented prize of £1 million. So far, this was the largest joint fund set aside for any Grand National.

The race was won by Pineau De Re, ridden by Leighton Aspell who outdistanced the second-slot champion by 5 lengths. The Leighton / Pineau De Re pairing took home  £561,300 for the win. The 25/1 victor was followed by a determined pursuer – Balthazar King – who delivered the second-biggest prize to Richard Johnson- £211,100. This 14/1 shot favorite defeated A. P. McCoy, who was riding Double Seven, by 1 and 1/4 lengths. Still, third-place scooped a prize of £105,500.

Channel 4 broadcast the race, as they had done the year previous. Channel 4 had won TV broadcast privileges after BBC bowed out in 2012, though the Beeb did sttill broadcast the race on radio (though it’s arguably not well suited o the medium!) as they had done for over 80 years straight.