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2024 Grand National

The 2024 Grand National (officially known as the Randox 2024 Grand National for sponsorship reasons) was the 176th annual running of the Grand National horse race. It took place on Saturday 13 April 2024, at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England. The event was sponsored by Randox Health. Changes from previous races were the reduction of horses from 40 to 34 and an earlier start time of 4pm, compared to 5.15pm in 2023. It was won by bookies' favourite I Am Maximus, who was trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend.

Race card

Two horses, Run Wild Fred and Chambard, were withdrawn on the morning of the race after being found lame, reducing the field to 32 runners, the smallest field since the 1999 Grand National which also had 32 runners.

Finishing order

Non-finishers

A total of 21 out of 32 horses finished the race, leaving 11 non-finishers. Seven horses were pulled up, and four were due to unseated riders. While concerns were expressed for Mac Tottie, who was treated by veterinarians at the scene, all the horses returned safely. However, over the course of the 3 day meeting, if not over the Grand National fences, there were two equine fatalities.

Broadcasting and media

As the Grand National is accorded the status of an event of national interest in the United Kingdom and is listed on the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events, it must be shown on free-to-air terrestrial television in the UK. The race was broadcast live on TV by ITV for the seventh time, and the first year in its new three year deal with the British Horseracing Authority.

The ITV coverage was presented by Ed Chamberlin. Analysis was provided by former jockeys Sir Anthony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald, and Ruby Walsh. Reports were provided by Alice Plunkett, Adele Mulrennan, Luke Harvey, Rishi Persad and Matt Chapman, and betting updates were provided by Brian Gleeson. Oli Bell covered viewers' comments on social media, and the commentary team was Mark Johnson, Stewart Machin and Richard Hoiles, who called the finish for the seventh time. Following the race, Bell and Walsh guided viewers on a fence-by-fence re-run of the race.

References