The Changing Face of the National
Changes to the Nationals conditions of entry
1961
The race is open for six year olds and upwards who have won a chase over three miles or finished in the first four in a race over the National fences.
1979
For six year olds and above who have won a race valued bewtween £1,500-2,000 during the previous two and a half years or have finished in the first four in a steeplechase over the National fences.
1981
Minimum chase value raised to between £2,000-2,500.
1984
Maximum permitted field of 40 runners introduced. Entry qualifications reduced to just one win in a steeplechase over the previous two & a half years. Best turned out prize and prize for stable employee repsonsible for the winner introduced.
1986
Trophies introduced for winning trainers & jockeys
1987
Minimum age for runners increased to seven years
1989
Fifth & sixth placed prizes introduced.
1990
Jockey qualifications tightened. Only jockeys who have ridden at least fifteen winners over fences are eligible to take part unless they have special dispensation from the Jockey Club (a bid no doubt to attract foreign runners and riders). Minimum rating for horses introduced of 105.
1992
Breeders prize introduced.
1994
Minimum rating increased to 115.
1996
Minimum rating increased to 120 (this move results in the smallest field in the National for thirty six years)
1997
Minimum rating reduced to 110.
1999
Final forty eight hour declaration introduced. Reserves introduced. Three reserves can be declared. They can run in the race if any of the original intended runners drops out by noon on the eve of the race. No intended runner can now run in any race other than the National once the final declarations are announced. This removes any chance of a horse attempting that elusive Topham/National double. Six year olds now eligible again to run.
2002
All intended runners must pass a vetinary inspection on the day of the race.
2004
All runners must have won at least three steeplechases of some recognised turf authority.
2010
Seventh & eighth placed prizes introduced
2012
As well as alterations to the course entry conditions are tightened up. Six years olds are once again ineligible and the minimum rating is increased to 120. In addition all prospective runners must have by March 20th finished in the first four in a steeplechase of three miles or more. The changes result in a much smaller entry but forty runners still line up on April 14th. Ninth & tenth placed prizes introduced.
2013
Not technically a change to the conditions but this year in an attempt to calm things down a little the formal parade is abolished - gone is the seemingly endless circling in front of the stands whilst the field got into racecard order. Now the horses parade in front of the stands in the order in which they left the paddock. Much better. You read it here first folks.
2023
Reserves are abolished as apparantly it causes confusion........NO IT DOESN'T
2024
Announced in October 2023 the most drastic alterations to the race are made which undoubtably has changed the face of the race for good.
The maximum number of runners in reduced from forty to thirty four
A standing start is introduced for all races over the Grand National course
The parade is abolished altogether with the horses leaving the paddock and cantering passed the stands instead
Fence 11/27 is reduced by two inches and the drop lowered
Minimum rating to rise from 125 to 130
The Improving quality of the National field
The minimum weight in the National is ten stone with no allowances for amateur riders or conditional jockeys. With a minimum weight for the race a number of runners will be running from "out of the handicap" i.e. they will be carrying more weight than the handicapper thinks they should carry. Looking at the number of runners in the handicap is a good way of judging how good a National field is. The last few years have a seen a dramatic increase in the quality of the race which has resulted in horses allotted under ten stone by the handicapper having very little or no chance of getting in the race. Since 2004 only seven horses have run from out of the handicap.
The table below shows the number of horses running out of the handicap and the lowest original allotted weight of a runner since 1996.
1996 10/26 9-1
1997 27/36 8-0
1998 28/36 7-10
1999 18/32 7-10
2000 7/40 9-7
2001 14/40 9-8
2002 8/40 9-12
2003 7/40 9-10
2004 10-0
2005 10-5
2006 10-4
2007 10-2
2008 10-7
2009 10-5
2010 10-5
2011 10-2
2012 1/40 9-9
2013 3/40 9-11
2014 10-1
2015 10-2
2016 10-4
2017 10-6
2018 10-5
2019 10-2
2021 10-2
2022 10-5
2023 3/39 10-2
2024 10-7
The lowest weighted runner ran in 1995 when It`s A Snip ran when allotted just 6-6 in the original handicap. In 1998 Decyborg, Maple Dancer and Winter Belle were all allotted just 7-10 in the original handicap. The following year Back Bar & St Mellion Fairway were allotted the same amount. These horses would stand no chance whatsoever in getting into the race nowadays.
National start time
From 2024 the National will be the fifth race on the card . A cunning plan to thwart the antis who invaded the course prior to the 2023 race (their stated intention was to delay the race until the light faded forcing the races cancellation). It's former ridiculous late time was designed to maximise the TV audience. Here are the scheduled start times since 1961. (1997 not included)
1961-1978 3.15 (race 3)
1979-1991 3.20 (race 3)
1992 4.00 (race 4)
1994 3.50 (race 4)
1995 3.35 (race 4)
1996 3.00 (race 3)
1998-2004 3.45 (race 4)
2005 4.10 (race 5)
2006-2015 4.15 (race 5)
2016- 2023 5.15 (race 6)
2024 - 4.00 (race 5)