Changes To The Grand National in 2024

Recently, there’s been extensive discussion about the latest proposed changes following an eventful race this past April, which faced a delay due to protesters encroaching on the track. Grand National To begin with, it’s crucial to examine the details: 39 competitors started the race, but only 17 made it to the finish line, which left a significant 22 unable to complete it.

Of those 22, seven withdrew, eleven riders lost their seat, and four horses fell. Among those fallers, three tumbled at the initial two fences, tragically including Hill Sixteen, which sustained deadly injuries at the first.

Out of the four fallers, three were tackling the Grand National fences for the first time. The exception was Hill Sixteen, which had previously performed here, notably finishing close in the 2021 Becher.

The proposed revisions include reducing the maximum number of runners from 40 down to 34.

The Changes

The first fence is set to be repositioned 60 yards closer to the start line, likely to ensure horses do not approach it at excessive speeds.

Additionally, the Grand National will return to a standing start, a method often used before. They are also lowering the eleventh fence's height and raising the race's minimum rating from 125 to 130.

Further changes involve ending the formal parade past the grandstand, with horses set to canter by instead, turning near The Chair.

Addressing the minimum rating adjustment is straightforward: it’s been ages since a horse rated below 125 was allowed to participate in the big race, with only four horses rated 135 or below qualifying since 2009.

Minimum Ratings

Compressing the weights has been a significant factor, as organizers push for better-quality contenders, making the race far more competitive than in the '70s, '80s, and much of the '90s, when horses often ran well above the handicap.

Historically, these horses, although safe rides, were not breakaway stars, lagging early in the race.

Making races more competitive has kept more horses closer to the front for longer periods, while past updates to Becher's Brook have removed the rider's preference between the inner route, known for its steeper drop but shorter distance, and the outer, with a softer descent but longer path.

Repositioning the fence could create issues with its proximity to the Felling Road crossing, although I trust that organizers, the BHA, jockeys, and trainers thoroughly consider these factors.

Moving Fences

Perhaps the most notable adjustment is reducing the field size, with many pinpointing the 40-runner limit as a primary issue.

It’s intriguing how few horses have been felled in the Grand National in recent years, usually one or two per race.

Of course, minimizing the risk of injury is crucial, yet it's interesting that many who fail to complete do so from losing their riders rather frequently.

Several key questions arise: Are the lowered fences altering which horses trainers field? And are jockeys more willing to stop when their horses tire or don’t favor the track?

I can't answer these definitively, but I can state that in the 2023 renewal, 12 unseatings occurred, five at the first two fences, three at Valentine's, and only three made it past the start, one losing its rider due to harness issues at the Canal Turn on the second pass.

While I appreciate adjustments, some statements from organizers worry me, notably regarding further modifications.

I don't know what research has been conducted into the race's inherent danger or influencing factors, as the BHA and Aintree Racecourse haven’t, to my knowledge, published findings.

In terms of reducing the field to 34 runners, I recently attended the Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic.

The Velka Pardubicka

This event, known globally as one of the toughest jump races, features over 30 fences, including the daunting Taxis at number four.

A horse hesitated at this fence, delaying two or three others, causing falls and leaving just over half of the 18-strong field to continue, many with prior experience.

How would the BHA and organizers respond to a similar incident in the Grand National?

Amid recent influxes of track changes, it seems they would likely react, implementing further, arguably unnecessary changes due to an uncharacteristic event.

The Velka includes a series of four qualifiers for local horses, an idea Haintree might consider, ensuring all race-day participants have experience with Grand National obstacles, especially given potential increased scrutiny for unreliable jumpers.

With ongoing modifications seemingly inevitable, it’s intriguing to ponder the race's direction; ideally, I'd love to see more major races on this iconic course, perhaps adding a Christmas Aintree event with a 3-mile handicap chase.

Further streamlining entries and potentially shortening the distance might make space for two long chase events over the famous fences, alongside the Topham Trophy and the Foxhunters'.

The Future

While some argue this progression isn't a perilous path, those opposed to the National often express broader discontent with equine and animal sports, perceiving Grand National restrictions as leading to bans on jumps racing, flat racing, greyhound racing, eventing, and show jumping.

Growing up in a Liverpool-rooted family, grabbing a Liverpool Echo for the Grand National Supplement with its sweepstakes kit and color schemes in the race's lead-up was always a cherished moment.

I hope many more generations enjoy those same moments and continue to watch what I consider the paramount spectacle in racing.

Visit our page for a comprehensive list of recommended betting websites to place your stakes on the race. As the big day nears, WhichBookie's elite race analysts will share their insights.

At WhichBookie, we endeavor to deliver premium content and exclusive deals daily, noting that some links here offer compensation.

Please take a look at our Grand National bookies Fact to File’s Ryanair Reckoning: Is it Hype or Heroism at Cheltenham 2025? betting tips for the 2024 Grand National .