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The 2024 Grand National is right around the corner as Aintree is set to stage the longest jump race in the UK once again.
This year however there are been major modifications made to the world's biggest jump race.
Several changes have been agreed for this year's race to put animal welfare and the safety of the horses first.
Some of the changes viewers can expect include the field size - which has been reduced to 34 - a standing start with a shorter run up to the first fence and both fences 11 and 27 have been reduced in size.
Here is everything you need to know about The 2024 Aintree Grand National race.
The 2024 Grand National will take place on Saturday, April 13
Last year's winner Corach Rambler is set to feature once again in this year's edition
A number of changes have been made to this year's race to improve equine welfare and safety
When is the 2024 Grand National?
The National is the centrepiece of Aintree's three-day Grand National which this year is taking place from Thursday, April 11 to Saturday, April 13.
The Grand National race itself will be held on the final day of the festival, Saturday, April 13.
What time is the Grand National?
This year's Grand National Race is set to get underway earlier than previous years.
The start time for this year's race will see runners be sent on their way at 4pm.
This is almost an hour and a half earlier than the previous favoured time of 5:15pm.
The race was brought forward because of the controversy of last year's 2023 Grand National, in the hopes that the earlier start would improve the chances if good ground.
Where is the Grand National?
Since the very first edition of the Grand National in 1839, the three day racing festival has been held at Aintree Racecourse, just located on the outskirts of Liverpool.
How to follow the 2024 Grand National
You can follow Mail Sport's live blog of the race as we will provide you with all the latest news and action before, during and after the race.
The race will also be shown live on free-to-air TV. ITV have the broadcasting rights to show the Grand National in the UK.
They Sky and Virgin Media channel for ITV is 103.
Racing TV will also being showing the race live and will be shown on Sky channel 424 and Virgin Media channel 536.
How many will horses run in the race?
The number of entries for the Grand National changes each year as once the final field is confirmed some horses are forced to pull out for many reasons.
However, for 2024 the total of numbers allowed to run in this year's race has been reduced from 40 to 34.
This decision was made to improve the safety of the race and ensure equine welfare.
This year the number of horses allowed in the race has been reduced from 40 to 34
When will the final field of horses be announced?
The final 34 horses for this year's race will be confirmed on Thursday, April 11. Just 48 hours before the race is due to take place.
A new rule introduced in the 2023 edition of the race states that if a horse is withdrawn after the 48-hour declaration they will not be replaced.
Horses entered into the race must also follow a certain criteria and fall into a certain class.
The entry requirements for The Grand National are as follows:
- Have an official rating (OR) of 130 or more
- Be aged seven or older
- Have completed three or more steeplechases
- Have completed one steeplechase in the current season
- Have finished between 1st and 4th in a steeplechase over over 2 miles 7 1/2 furlongs and further
What is the race distance?
To the naked eye and for years the Grand National has been viewed as a 4 1/2 mile race.
However the official distance of circuit is four miles, two furlongs and 74 yards.
The distance is measured two yards inside the innermost rail.
The length of the race is four miles, two furlongs and 74 yards, there is a total of 16 fences, 14 of which are jumped twice during the nine minute long race
How long does the race last?
The total time of the race from start to finish lasts around nine minutes.
The fastest time the race was ran in was back in 1990 when Mr Frisk ridden by Marcus Armytage crossed the finish line first with a time of eight minutes and 47.8 seconds.
How many fences do they jump in the Grand National?
Throughout the duration of the two and 1/2 mile race, the field will jump over 30 fences in total.
There are 16 individual fences in the race, 14 of which are jumped over twice.
The fences are made out of Sitka spruce or Norway spruce, which is delivered to Aintree from the Lake District.
It takes about three weeks to prepare all the fences for the race.
What changes have been made to this year's race?
Significant alterations have been made to this year's Grand National following last year's controversial race - which saw a delay of 15 minutes because of an ambush from animal rights protesters.
Last year's race was delayed by 15 minutes after animal protesters stormed onto the track
Here are the major changes which have been made:
- The field has been reduced from 40 horses to 34 as evidence shows a direct correlation between the size of the field and a horse falling
- The first fence has been brought forward by 60 yards towards the start line in order to reduce the speed the horses take their first jump at
- The start of the race will now see a standing start at the tape, instead of the traditional rolling start - this change is also aimed at reducing the speed of horses at the first jump
- Each horse must now have an official rating of 130 instead of the old 125
- Fence 11 has been shortened by two inches and the drop on the landing has also been reduced
- Horse will no longer be led onto the course, instead they will be released to canter in front of the grandstand
- The start time for the race has been moved up to 4pm from the traditional 5:15 start time.
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