Sprucing up the world's greatest horse race

THEY will be seen by millions of TV viewers as 34 horses leap over them in the Randox Grand National on Saturday.

- By Chris Riches

And, in a world first, Aintree invited us along to help build their famous fences.

The Daily Express had an exclusive glimpse at how the most iconic obstacles in sport are painstakingly constructed weeks in advance in what was a fascinating, behind-the-scenes visit.

Seen up close, their height leaves you quaking. But, as I joined crews weaving the Norwegian spruce branches into this Saturday's Grand National fences, I found out that their size actually has a vital horse welfare purpose.

And I could only marvel at the detailed, round-the-clock efforts the Merseyside team put into making the "world's greatest steeplechase" the safest event any jump race can be.

It's the morning of Monday, March 24, and less than two weeks before the 177th running of the Grand National, one of the most watched and wagered on sports event in Britain.

The race first began 186 years ago in 1839. But, throw in two world wars, the abandoned false start race of 1993, plus Covid's virtual race, and you have the 177th running of the legendary four-mile, two-and-a-half furlong event this year.

Myself and Express photographer Andy Stenning rocked up to the Liverpool course to meet Aintree estates manager Stephen Fyles, 41, and our fence-building expert guide for the day, groundsman Paul Black, 46. As you'd expect, security is watertight and the whole racetrack is a bustling hive of activity as delivery trucks trundle past, sponsor banners are erected and bars are stocked.

They are even constructing a brand new pub on the concourse for this weekend's thirsty drinkers, who will down 10,000 bottles of fizz, 193,000 pints of Guinness and lager and 62,000 shots of vodka over the three days of the full Grand National Festival.