Grand National gets new start time in latest change to address welfare issues
The Grand National will start 75 minutes earlier in April after organisers announced a 4pm off-time for the world famous horse race.
The race, which is watched by a worldwide TV audience of millions, had an established ITV tea-time slot of 5.15pm up to last year. But it was held up for 14 minutes while police and Aintree racecourse security staff dealt with animal rights protesters trying to stop it taking place.
The delay was claimed to have contributed to the fall of Hill Sixteen, who was fatally injured when he was one of five casualties at the first fence.
After a detailed review by Aintree’s owners the Jockey Club, an earlier start to the race was one of a number of changes announced in October without specifying a new time.
Concerns had been raised that holding the Grand National towards the end of the day contributed to a build-up in tension.
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Sulekha Varma, head of racing and clerk of the Course at Aintree, said:“This was a decision we took after a number of participants and other racing stakeholders raised concerns about the long build-up to the race throughout the day and heightened tension as a result.
“These were not issues which had been identified as a problem when the race was previously staged at 3.45pm and 4.15pm.
Police carry away a protester at Aintree (AFP via Getty Images)“Bringing forward the start time of the Randox Grand National by 75 minutes to 4pm will also help us to maintain optimal jumping ground, as warm or breezy conditions can dry out the racing surface.
Other changes agreed were a cut in the field size to from 40 to 34, the repositioning of the first fence nearer to the start, the scrapping of the parade before the race, and fence adjustments.
From this year’s entry of 94 horses, a record 61 are trained in Ireland with three-time winning trainer Gordon Elliott responsible for 26.
Last year’s winner Corach Rambler and Noble Yeats, successful in 2022, are also engaged.
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