Grand National 2022: 40 quiz questions to test your Aintree knowledge

The 2022 Grand National takes place today and racegoers, runners and riders are getting ready for a big day.

The event returned to Liverpool this week with crowds for the first time since 2019, kicking off with Thursday’s NHS Day, a day to honour the efforts of staff during the coronavirus pandemic, followed by Ladies Day on Friday. To get you into the mood for today's main event, we have put together a quiz to test your knowledge of the world's greatest steeplechase the Grand National.

How much do you remember about the Grand National jockeys and trainers who have taken part in the famous race? And do you know why some of the racecourse 's fences have the special names they do?

READ MORE: Ladies Day Style Award winner announced at Aintree racecourse

We've got 40 questions in total - and some are much trickier than others. So before the main race gets under way later today, have a go at our Grand National quiz.

Remember to share your score with us by commenting at the end of the article, you can tweet us @echowhatson or get in touch on our Facebook page. Grab a pen and a pad and tackle these quiz questions bound to put your Grand National knowledge to the test. The answers are below the last question.

Questions

1. Tom Scudamore is set to ride Cloth Cap at the Grand National once again. His grandfather Michael was the winning jockey in 1959 – on which horse?

2. Who was the celebrity owner of 1994 winner Miinnehoma?

3. Who was the clerk of the course for the first time in 2021?

4. Who links shock 2009 winner Mon Mome and 1988 faller Marcolo?

5. Rachael Blackmore became the first woman to win the Grand National on Minella Times last year. Who was the first female jockey to take part in the race, in which year and on which horse?

6. What is the connection between the National and Gatwick Airport?

7. Name the former prisoner of war who rode the 1951 Grand National winner.

8. What was unusual about 2016 winner Rule The World?

9. Name the former Triumph Hurdle winner who took out 10 horses when he declined to jump the Canal Turn while loose in the 2001 National.

10. How many times did trainer Donald 'Ginger' McCain win the Grand National with Red Rum?

11. How many laps of the course do the runners and riders take in the Aintree Grand National?

12. Where did Ginger McCain train Red Rum?

13. What was the name of the horse which won the first ever Grand National in 1839?

14. Ginger McCain's son, Donald Junior won the Grand National in 2011 with which horse?

15. How many fences are there in the Aintree Grand National?

16. What was the name of The Queen Mother's horse which fell on the final straight of the 1956 Grand National?

17. What is the distance of the Aintree Grand National?

18. The Canal Turn is named after which canal which passes alongside the racecourse?

19. What was the name of the family who lived in a house on the course?

20. Which jockey, who last triumphed in the Grand National in 1870, is the most successful jockey in Aintree Grand National history?

21. Which jockey has won the Aintree Grand National in the quickest time?

22. Which fence is the tallest at 5ft 2ins and also the broadest fence?

23. What is the maximum number of horses allowed into the Grand National?

24. What is the distance between the last fence and the winning line?

25. The 1929 Aintree Grand National featured the most starters in the race. How many horses lined up?

26. What is the name of the road that runs through the Aintree Grand National course?

27. Which horse has the fastest Grand National winning time of eight minutes and 47.8 seconds?

28. When was the first Grand National?

29. Who was the 1967 winner that had a fence named after him?

30. Who was the first female trainer to win the Grand National?

31. Which year's Grand National was postponed after two coded bomb threats?

32. Which horse won the 1993 Grand National?

33. The 1980 winner was named after which mountain?

34. What is the fewest number of horses to finish the Grand National?

35. What was the prize money for the winner of the 2014 Grand National?

36. Red Rum won the race three times, but how many times did he finish second?

37. In what year was the Grand National first televised live?

38. Esha Ness won the race in 1993, but has never been recognised as a Grand National winner. Why?

39. How many greys have won the National?

40. Who sponsors the Grand National?

Answers

1. Oxo

2. Freddie Starr

3. Sulekha Varma

4. Venetia Williams – she trained Mon Mome, and rode Marcolo

5. Charlotte Brew on Barony Fort in 1977

6. The race was run at Gatwick for three years while Aintree was out of commission during World War I. Gatwick racecourse was closed in 1940, and construction of the airport began on the site in 1950

7. Johnny Bullock, on Nickel Coin

8. It was the only steeplechase he ever won

9. Paddy’s Return

10. Three

11. Two

12. On the sands at Southport

13. Lottery

14. Ballabriggs

15. 30

16. Devon Loch

17. Four miles, 514 yards

18. Leeds and Liverpool Canal

19. Topham

20. George Stevens

21. Marcus Armytage

22. The Chair

23. 40

24. 465 yards

25. 66

26. Melling Road

27. Mr Frisk

28. 1839

29. Foinavon

30. Jenny Pitman

31. 1997

32. None. The race was declared void after a series of incidents and a false start that was never stopped.

33. Ben Nevis

34. 2 horses

35. The overall prize pot was in excess of £1m

36. Twice

37. 1960

38. A false start was declared, but 30 horses started the race and seven completed the race before it was declared void.

39. Three

40. Randox Health