The new Grand National rules for 2024 as iconic race makes multiple changes as organisers aim to protect horse welfare
The 2024 Grand National will take place this Saturday afternoon and new rules will be in place at Aintree.
From the preparation of the race to the configuration of the course, multiple changes have been made following a review of last year’s action.
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In 2023, animal rights protesters ambushed the event and caused a delay, while three horses died during the three-day festival.
Here, talkSPORT.com takes a look at the new rules that have been put in place to help protect riders, riders and spectators…
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The new Grand National rules
In October last year, the Jockey Club announced several changes and new rules which will come into effect this weekend.
They decided to make these changes in order to maintain “their constant objective of ensuring the best possible welfare conditions for racehorses and jockeys”.
The rule changes have five different key objectives:
- Reduce the risk of incidents during the race
- Reduce the possibility of horses gaining too much speed early in the race
- Create the best possible environment for horses
- Investing in a number of changes to the course infrastructure
- Ensuring that participating horses are in the best conditions to do so
The first major change to the Grand National is that there will be 34 riders instead of 40.
The traditional number of horses participating in this iconic race has been reduced due to research revealing that a higher number of runners has a direct correlation with the risk of falling.
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Another rule change is that the field will have to take a standing start at the strip rather than a traditional start, in order to reduce the speed at which the horses arrive at the first fence.
Before the race, horses are no longer allowed to be led on the course by a handler and will instead be released at a gallop in front of the stands.
And to compete in the Grand National, horses had to have a score of 130 or higher, which is an increase from the traditional score of 125.
Concerning the physical changes on the course, the first barrier has been modified.
It will be moved 60 meters closer to the starting line in order to reduce the speed of arrival of the horses and therefore the risk of falling.
New rules and changes to the Grand National
New rules
- Field reduced to 34 against traditional 40
- Each running horse must have an official score of 130
- Race starting with a standing start
- The horses are now released at a gallop in front of the grandstand instead of being led around the course by the driver.
Changes
- Start time moved to 4 p.m.
- First fence advanced 60 meters
- Fence 11 reduced in height with reduced landing side difference
- Foam and rubber baseboards added to all fences
Fence 11 was also modified, its height reduced by two inches and its elevation on the landing side reduced.
Foam and rubber baseboards will also be added to each National fence.
Of course, the traditional start time has also been moved to 4 p.m. instead of 5:15 p.m.
And this is so that the race can take place in optimal terrain conditions.
For spectators, additional bag searches and badge checks will be carried out upon entry to avoid any problems with demonstrators.
There will also be an increased police presence to avoid any potential disruption.
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