Features 
/ Adam Brookes / 01 April 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Carnage at Becher's Brook in 2004
"Becher's Brook has provided the opponents of the National with some of their most effective ammunition over the years..."
Timeform's Adam Brookes discusses the obstacles that stand in the way of the 40 runners and riders who'll line up for the 2012 Aintree Grand National on April 14...
The Grand National is run over four miles and four furlongs and horses are asked to jump a total of 30 fences. Recent safety changes saw the height of the toe-boards on all fences increased to 14 inches, while the obstacles, which have always been twice as wide for the National as those on most other tracks, can all now be bypassed, as was proved in trying circumstances last year.
Upon the tapes going up, the runners cross the Melling Road for the first time and charge to the first, the adrenaline rush often the reason for the fence's high proportion of fallers; Gay Trip (in 1971), Aldaniti (1982) and Hallo Dandy (1985) all got caught out there when defending their titles.
The runners then take in Fence No 2, known as The Fan after a mare who repeatedly refused there in the 19th century, and jump three more before they reach the first renowned stumbling block, the notorious Becher's Brook.
Becher's Brook (No 6 & 22 - 4ft 10in fence) has provided the opponents of the National with some of their most effective ammunition over the years, the death of housewife's choice Dark Ivy at the fence in 1987 one of the most notable. Corrections were made to Becher's ahead of the 1990 running, namely the brook being partly filled in and the bank on the landing side being regraded, and further modifications were undertaken prior to the 2005 race, the ditch on the landing side fitted with a wooden cover and non-slip rubber to make it impossible for horses to fall back into the ditch. There have been only two Grand National fatalities at this fence since the 1990 modifications, Dooney's Gate unfortunately one of them 12 months ago.
Foinavon (No 7 & 23 - 4ft 6in fence), which of course got its name thanks to the carnage sparked by the riderless Popham Down in 1967, is the joint-smallest of the standard National fences. Having scaled the heights of Becher's it's not uncommon for horses and jockeys to get caught out being casual at Foinavon, anticipating another drop on the landing side.
Jockey's cutting the 90° angle of Canal Turn (No 8 & 24 - 5ft fence) is one of the most iconic Grand National sights but the fence often provides plenty of problems. Dual Gold Cup winner Easter Hero famously stood too far off the jump in 1928, his hanging on the fence causing a spectacular pile-up amongst the 41 horses behind, while third-fence unseat Paddy's Return took out 10 at the same spot in 2001. The 'catching pen' on the outside of Canal Turn has proved notably successful in preventing loose horses continuing back onto the main racecourse since its introduction ahead of the 2010 race.
Valentine's Brook (No 9 & 25 - ditch behind 5ft fence), formerly known as the Second Brook, comes up directly after Canal Turn and requires a good leap. Valentine's has been relatively drama free in recent times, though Ballycassidy came a right cropper there in 2006 (see picture) and Plaisir d'Estruval and Prudent Honour both met their demise after jumping Valentine's in the Topham Chase of 2010. Ballabriggs made his only mistake when winning last year at Valentine's second time round.
Three plain fences, a ditch, an open ditch, and the Melling Road follow on the first circuit before runners come face-to-face with The Chair.
The Chair (No 15 - 5ft 2in fence, 11ft spread), along with the upcoming Water Jump, are the only two impediment's scaled once, both being take on the first circuit. Although it takes some jumping, The Chair generally isn't as dangerous as its 'tallest fence on the course' status suggests, it's lengthy approach possibly a reason for only 14 horses succumbing to it in the 18 years since the void National of '93. That said, the fence has caught out numerous previous winners over the years, including Russian Hero, Ayala and Rubstic, while Silver Birch fell in the race a year prior to winning the 2007 edition.
The Water Jump (No 16 - 3ft 6in fence, 12ft 6in spread) is situated directly in front of the stands and, as the only fence less than 4ft 6in in height, is the smallest obstacle on course. The Water Jump is not usually responsible for many casualties, though it was the scene of Foinavon being brought down when defending his title in 1968.
And so, having successfully flew/clambered over 30 fences of the finest Lake District spruce, those still left in contention are left to run straight and true down the famous Aintree 'elbow'.
However, as we all know, the winner can never be crowned until crossing the line, with the 1956 collapse of the Queen Mother's Devon Loch perhaps the most famous reversal. A weary Crisp snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in '73, while Gold Cup hero Garrison Savannah treaded an ocean in the closing stages of the '91 renewal, with What's Up Boys (2002) and Clan Royal (2004) both suffering similar fates in recent times.
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