The Grand National is possibly the most popular race in the horse racing calendar. It is run over Aintree's massive Grand National fences and is usually contested by forty of the finest steeplechasers in training. The race is four and a half miles long and the runners must jump thirty fences to complete the course.

The Grand National is different to many fo the top races in the racing calendar, it is a handicap race. That means that the horses don't all carry the same weight, they carry different weights based on the performances and ability they have shown so far in their career. The best horse carries top weight and because of this the best horse rarely wins. It is the best handicapped horse who handles the conditions that wins the race.

When picking a potential winner it is important to consider two major factors. A horse must stay the trip and be able to jump extremely well to have any chance in the Grand National. Horses who have fallen no more than twice in their careers and have won a good standard race over 3m1f are often favoured.