The Grand National: An absorbing, crazy, frantic lottery

It seems fitting that the first officially recorded Grand National winner way back in 1839 was called Lottery.

A mere 175 years on, and despite recent modifications, the world’s greatest steeplechase remains just that: an absorbing, crazy, frantic lottery. Of course some things have changed. This is the first £1 million National. The stone wall that Lottery had to overcome is now the water jump, while last year, for the first time, the entire field was still in contention up to the Canal Turn, the eighth fence. That all 40 horses and jockeys returned safely was significant PR plus given that the previous two renewals had been marred by two fatalities - Gold Cup winner Synchronised and According To Pete in 2012, and Ornais and Dooneys Gate in 2011.

Aintree had to react and did react but in making the modifications necessary to ensure safety, critics argue the race lost its essence, that inherent danger and sense of drama that made it so captivating to committed punters and once-a-year enthusiasts alike. The race is different but selecting a winner remains a monumentally challenging ask.