The Grand National fences are part of the iconic spectacle of the world’s most famous race but for almost a decade now Aintree has used different materials to provide a safer horse racing environment for horses and jockeys.
In this latest Demystifying Racing guide, Paddy Power is here to take you thorough everything you need to know about what Grand National fences are made of. You’ll learn how the fences have evolved over the years to be what they are today, and why a change to ‘plastic birch’ was seen as a breakthrough in fence technology.
HISTORY OF GRAND NATIONAL FENCES
Fences have been part of the Grand National ever since the first race was run in 1839. The Grand National is a steeplechase, which means it is run over fences rather than the hurdles otherwise seen in the National Hunt season.
Because of the sheer number of fences jumped in this race the Grand National swiftly became notorious as one of the most challenging horse races on the planet. And with that fame came more spectators and greater prize money.
Over the years some of the Grand National fences have earned nicknames, such as Becher’s Brook and The Chair. The names of Grand National fences are steeped in history and you can read all about them in our other guide!
Spruce is added as a top layer to Grand National fences (GETTY)
WHAT ARE GRAND NATIONAL FENCES MADE OF?
Until recently Grand National fences were made of wooden stakes topped with spruce. This offered the horses some leniency when leaping over the fences but the stakes created the risk of a horse falling.
Over the past 15 years developments in technology and a greater understanding of the race have helped make the fences safer. Grand National fences are now made of what’s called ‘plastic birch’. This is a layer of synthetic shrubbery around 15 inches tall that sits on top of a much lower wooden fence, with spruce once again placed on top.
Horse racing betting fans looking from the outside of the fence won’t see much visible difference – but what the plastic birch does is offer horses much more leniency when their legs and hooves move over the jump, thus making it safer for both horse and jockey.
Now, the spruce on top is usually 14 inches in depth and of either the Norwegian or Sitka variety. There is also a toe board on the jumping side of the fence, to prove horse and jockey with a clear indication of where the fence starts. A PVC foam-padded rail stands approximately one-third up the height of the fence for added guidance.
DEMYSTIFYING RACING
- What does it mean when a horse is On the Bridle?
- What is a Black type horse race?
- What are the different types of going in horse racing?
- What is a bumper horse race?
- What are blinkers and why do some horses wear them?
- What is an Allowance Race in horse racing?
- What is the difference between hurdles and fences in National Hunt racing?
- What is a halter and why do some horses wear them?
- What does it mean when a horse has spread a plate?
- What is the Rule 4 betting rule in horse racing?
- What is the difference between graded, handicap and selling horse races?
- What does a novice hurdle in horse racing mean?
- What is a listed horse race?
- What does a novice chase in horse racing mean?
- Why do race horses have different ratings and what do they mean?
- When does the National Hunt season start and when does it end?
- Why are there different grades of horse race?
- Why are there 3 different types of National Hunt race?
- Why are race horses given different weights and what does it mean?
- How many different classes of horse race are there?
- What is a claiming race and what do they mean?
- What is an optional claimer in horse racing?
- What is a shadow roll and why do some race horses wear them?
- Why do some races start from stalls and some not?
- What is the difference between Derby and Oaks races?
- What does it mean when a horse knuckles during a horse race?
- What is a stayer in horse racing?
- What is a yearling horse and when are they ready to race?
- What does it mean if a horse has won a point race?
- What does a maiden mean in horse racing?
- How are horses’ ages calculated and why is it not the same as humans?
- What advantages do apprentice jockeys get when riding against professionals?
- What is a conditional jockey?
- What does the term ‘connections’ mean in horse racing?
- Why do some horses wear cheekpieces?
- Who are the stewards in horse racing?
- What does ‘weighed in’ mean at the end of a horse race?
- What is a nursery race?
- Why are some National Hunt races run without fences?
- Why are some horses given a tongue tie during races?
- What does it mean when a horse is ‘pushed out’?
- How are horse racing ratings calculated?
- What does it mean when a horse has a ‘wind operation’?
- How high are the fences and hurdles in horse racing?
- What is an apprentice jockey?
- What is a Bull Ring in horse racing?
- What does the phrase ‘Look of Eagles’ mean in horse racing?
- Why do some horses wear a ‘weight cloth’ during races?
- What is the Triple Crown in horse racing?
- What is a Steeplechase race in horse racing?
- How high are the Cheltenham Festival fences and hurdles?
- Why is the Champion Chase named after the Queen Mother?
- Why does Cheltenham racecourse have an Old Course and a New Course? What’s the differences between the two?
- What is the Cheltenham roar? What difference does it make in races?
- Why are there no jumps in the Cheltenham Festival Champion Bumper?
- How many fans usually attend the Cheltenham Festival? How big is the capacity?
- What is a juvenile in horse racing?
- Grand National fence names and the stories behind every Aintree jump
- How high are Grand National fences at Aintree Racecourse?
- Grand National fences: Order of jumps, total and which are taken twice
- Grand National weights: Why do horses carry different weights at Aintree?
- How many people usually attend the Grand National? What is Aintree’s capacity?
- What is the distance of the Grand National? How far do the horses run?
- How does a horse qualify for the Grand National?
- When did a horse last win the Grand National carrying top weight?
- Do Grand National reserve horses ever run in the race at Aintree?
