Often referred to as John Smith’s Grand National due its sponsor, the 2005 Grand National steeplechase took place, once again, at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool on 9th April 2005.  The total prize money this time around was an eye spinning £700,000 – with the winner pegged to collect a whopping £406,000.

With 40 horses taking part, the 7/1 favorite nine-year-old Hedgehunter ably ridden by Ruby Walsh, emerged triumphant, winning by a very impressive 14 lengths. He finished the race in a fast time too, 9 minutes 21 seconds. Hedgehunter had been capably trained by Willie Mullins.

The little-known Royal Auclair at 40/1 surprised many to give Christian Williams a seemingly unlikely 2nd place. Following hot on Auclair’s heels was yet another surprise; Brian Harding atop Simply Gifted, who was 66-1 to win. A great place bet for some no doubt.

Interesting tidbits, the race was delays by almost half an hour due to the marriage of Prince Charles to Camila Bowles. More than half of the fielded runners finished the course, which isn’t bad going. The 2005 Grand National Aintree attendance of over 70,000 was ranked as the biggest since the National of 1997.

The 2004 Grand National steeplechase event, proudly sponsored by Martell took place on 3rd of April. This was the 157th official Grand National and as per usual was held at Aintree, Liverpool – England.

In the ballpark of a number of the past Grand National tournaments, the race involved a total of 40 horses. The aggregate prize money amounted to £600,000 comprising of a generous £348,000 to the winner.

Graham Lee, a champion jockey who had impressed many times previously, finally clinched the highest honour of them all, but winning the National. He achieved this history making feat by 3 lengths atop Amberleigh – an equally star-studded victor who had showed much promise for years. Amberleigh House had been trained by Ginger McCain, a renowned English stable operator. While Amberleigh was backed before the off it was still available a 16-1.

There were 11 finishers out of 39 runners who participated in the race. Clan Royal, the chosen mount for the talented Liam Cooper, scooped the second position to claim a slice of the substantial prize money available. Lord Atterbury ridden by Mark Bradburne, finished third.

The 2003 Grand National was the 156th occurence of this prestigious race and took place at Aintree on 3:45 British Summer Time, on the 5th of April, 2003. The 10-year-old 16/1 shot Monty’s Pass was ably captained by none other than respected rider Barry Geraghty.

The unforgiving Monty’s Pass took apart the other 40 racers to clinch the Grand National crown within a terrific time of 9 minutes and 21 seconds. The impressive winner had been trained by Jimmy Mangan of Cork, Ireland.

Covering a course that stretched 4 miles and 4 furlongs, the event saw only 14 of the participating 40 jockeys cross the finishing line. Unlike the previous year when two horses succumbed to this punishing race, in 2003 one fatality was recorded. Still anything other than zero is of course a tragedy. Although the number of successful finishers decreased slightly set against 2002, the fact that Monty’s Pass ran the course in such a fast time, but this a thrilling event.

Many horses favoured before the race only succeeded in disappointing. Shotgun Willy had been a popular favorite after winning the Red Square Vodka Cup at Haydock that same year. Going off as the 7/1 likely, or rather favoured, victor, the horse paled in comparison to some less favoured competitors and tailed off midway through the race. Youllneverwalkalone, a fan of many liverpudlians for obvious reasons, had previously emboldened many fans hopes of success before finally yielding at the 11th fence as a result of injury.

Second place went to the determined Leighton Aspell mounting Supreme Glory, while Amberleigh House handed Graham Lee third slot.

2002 saw the 155th official staging of the annual Grand National event. Held on 6th April at Aintree near Liverpool, the race was won by the 20/1 shot Bindaree, mounted by Jim Culloty. Bindaree had been trained by Nigel Twiston-Davis at the Grange Hill facility in Naunton.

The winning time stood at exactly 10 minutes and 3 seconds, a marked improvement from over 11 minutes registered by the previous year’s winner. The 2002 Grand National race had a rather diminished field that only accommodated a maximum of 40 runners. This was due to the number of injuries received in previous years.

Of the 40 competitors who took part in the 2002 Grand National, only 11 completed the course. Although this was still a disappointing low, it was at least an improvement on previous years, so a step in the right direction. A total of 9 horses fell at the very first fence while 2 fatalities took place during the race, The Last Fling at the 2nd Canal Turn and the ill-fated Manx Magic at the twentieth fence.

BBC One broadcast the electrifying race, with a viewership of close to 9 million, with only 300,000 watching on ITV.

Other top contenders included the prized Ad Hoc steered by Paul Carberry, the 1999 titleholder cheered on by thousands. However it couldn’t quite achieve its former glory. Both the promising Supreme Glory and the long-time favorite Moor Lane puled out prior to the race.

From first to fifth spot, witht he horses and jokeys riding them: Bindaree/Jim Culloty, What’s Up Boys/Richard Johnson, Blowing Wind/ Tony McCoy, Kingsmark/ Ruby Walsh, Supreme Charm/Robert Thornton. As evidenced in this finishing top five there is a certain absence of many high-flying riders. Nonetheless, this made for an interesting national, and again it was a relief that not so many injuries occured this time around.