"canal runs for without locks, across the West Lancashire Coastal Plain. The two main side-branches both connect to other waterways. The Rufford Branch links into the River Douglas and, via the Ribble Link and the River Ribble to the previously isolated Lancaster Canal. The Leigh Branch from Wigan leads to the Bridgewater Canal and thus to Manchester and the Midlands. At long, The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is the second longest ""single"" canal in the UK.. The canal at Aintree passes close to the racecourse and gives the name to the course's Canal Turn. The new £20 million Liverpool Canal"
"a man made post and rails. From here the field then turned left towards the Leeds to Liverpool canal, before jumping the Canal Turn, a fence at a sharp 90 degree angle. This would then place the runners in the fields running along the canal where they would jump Valentine's Brook, The Table top, a fence in which the landing side was significantly raised, and then the lane fences, two hedges either side of the Melling Road that marked the point where the runners re-entered the actual race course. From here the land was laid to turf as the runners"
"the Canal Turn, but the short-distance runner eventually fell out of contention and jockey Jamie Moore pulled him up before the 27th fence. Killyglen fell at the 27th, having been close to leader Ballabriggs at the beginning of the second circuit. Ornais and Dooneys Gate both suffered fatal falls on the first circuit. Ornais incurred a cervical fracture at the fourth fence (a plain 4 ft 10-inch obstacle) and Dooneys Gate fractured his thoracolumbar at fence six (the 5 ft Becher's Brook). Aintree had made significant modifications to its ""National Course"" in recent years, including improving veterinary facilities and reducing"
"remounted, also at odds of 100-1. Foinavon Foinavon (1958–1971) was an Irish racehorse. He won the Grand National in 1967 at odds of 100/1 after the rest of the field fell, refused or were hampered or brought down in a mêlée at the 23rd fence. The fence was officially named after Foinavon in 1984. He was at one point owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, whose colours were also carried by Arkle. Both were named after Scottish mountains. Foinavon, ridden by John Buckingham, was a rank outsider at odds of 100/1 to win the 1967 Grand National, and his"
"Foinavon Foinavon (1958–1971) was an Irish racehorse. He won the Grand National in 1967 at odds of 100/1 after the rest of the field fell, refused or were hampered or brought down in a mêlée at the 23rd fence. The fence was officially named after Foinavon in 1984. He was at one point owned by Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster, whose colours were also carried by Arkle. Both were named after Scottish mountains. Foinavon, ridden by John Buckingham, was a rank outsider at odds of 100/1 to win the 1967 Grand National, and his owner Cyril Watkins had such little"
"and down the fence preventing others from jumping it. Some horses began running back the way they had come. Foinavon had been lagging so far behind that Buckingham had time to steer his mount clear of the chaos and jump on the wide outside, long before any of the others could remount or attempt the fence again. At the next obstacle, the Canal Turn, Buckingham looked back in disbelief at the 30-length lead he held with just six fences remaining. Seventeen remounted horses gave chase, and 15/2 favourite Honey End closed the gap to within 20 lengths by the final"
"but often covered racing and was brought in to cover the race at the far end of the course, going to Becher's Brook and coming away from Valentine's. His commentary of the carnage at the 23rd fence is often shown when BBC Sport puts together montages of great sporting moments. O'Hehir received particular respect from his peers for the speed and unflustered coolness with which he identified Foinavon as the horse emerging from the mêlée. O'Hehir later said in an interview that it was precisely the unfamiliarity of Foinavon's colours that made him so instantly recognisable during the race. O'Hehir"
"""Last Orders"". Windsor Racecourse was also the location for the filming of ""Midsomer Murders"" Season 8 episode ""Bantling Boy."" For the 2012 Summer Olympics a temporary bridge linked the Racecourse with Dorney Lake, the rowing and canoeing venue. The Racecourse served as a pick-up and drop-off point for spectators travelling to and from Dorney Lake. Windsor Racecourse Windsor Racecourse, also known as Royal Windsor Racecourse, is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Windsor, Berkshire, England. It is one of only three figure-of-eight courses in the United Kingdom, the others being at Fontwell Park and Cartmel in Cumbria. Windsor Racecourse"
"than from fence to fence. A map of the course from 1848 shows that the start was at a location which today sits halfway between Melling Road and the first fence. Becher's Brook was the fifth fence the runners jumped before making for the Canal Turn, fence seven, and Valentine's Brook, fence eight. Two further fences were jumped alongside the Canal before the runners jumped into and out of the lane that divided the racecourse from the countryside beyond, today known as Anchor Bridge crossing. Thus the runners had jumped eleven obstacles on the first circuit before entering the racecourse"
"of the extraordinary circumstances of his win in an interview. Three jockeys had turned down Foinavon prior to the race (his price the day before the National was 500/1), but Buckingham took up the opportunity to ride in the famous steeplechase. With a clear view of the mêlée at the 23rd, Foinavon was almost hampered by Honey End, whose jockey had remounted, turned around and was ready to attempt to jump the fence. At the next obstacle, the Canal Turn, Buckingham looked back in disbelief at the clear lead he held with just six fences remaining. After passing the elbow"
"as they change course; unseatings and falls are common. Seven equine fatalities have been recorded at the Canal Turn in Grand Nationals since the race was first run officially in 1839; the most recent death was that of The Last Fling in 2002. The Canal Turn has been the scene of a number of incidents that have had a major impact upon the outcome of the Grand National. In 1928, the favourite and top-weight Easter Hero refused at the ditch which at the time preceded the fence (this was filled in following the race). This refusal took out 20 horses."
"Fontwell Park Racecourse Fontwell Park Racecourse is a horse racing course located in the village of Fontwell in West Sussex, England, owned by ARC Racing. It features an oval hurdles course. Fontwell Park was founded by Alfred Day who trained racehorses at The Hermitage, by the Chichester to Arundel road, from 1887. Day brought the name Fontwell back into use after researching the history of the area, and by 1924 he had purchased enough land to open a racecourse at Fontwell. The hurdles track was a normal shape, but the steeplechase course was laid out in a figure of eight"
"Leeds and Liverpool Canal, turning sharply (where the modern day Canal Turn is) to run along the canalside back towards the racecourse, negotiating the Second Brook (the modern day Valentine's Brook). The runners would then enter the 'racecourse proper' at the far end of the circuit to run back towards the stands, jumping a plain fence (the modern day Chair before jumping a wall topped with gorse (the modern day Water Jump). The field then took another circuit of the course, this time bypassing the final two obstacles towards the finishing post. Paulina refused the first jump but continued after"
"to their ratings. On 3 April the final field of 40 runners was declared as follows: The race was due to go off at 4:15 pm on 5 April 2014 but a false start delayed the showpiece steeplechase. The starter Hugh Barclay got the field away at the second attempt, but Battle Group refused to race. Twirling Magnet, Burton Port and Big Shu were fallers over the first three fences, before the Canal Turn claimed three further casualties. Another three fell at Valentine's, including the 12–1 shot Long Run. Teaforthree, who was sent off joint-favourite with Double Seven at 10/1,"
"Wolverhampton Racecourse Wolverhampton Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. The track was the first to be floodlit in Britain and often holds meetings in the evening. The course has a Tapeta surface, and is one mile (1,609 m) in circumference, with left-hand turns — giving it greater commonality with most racetracks found in the United States than with other venues in the UK. There has been a racecourse in Wolverhampton since 1825, in what is now the West Park, where the Park Road follows the line of the track. This was sold to"
"comprising 192 grass pitches and facilities for caravans, tents and motorhomes. A large centre course is used for rallies and events most notably the annual Motorhome and Caravan show in June, Blue Rodeo and CAMRA Beer Festival in August. Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, also known as simply Stratford Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England. Stratford Racecourse hosts a number of meets. Unlike races at Ascot Racecourse or Epsom Racecourse, the attire is considerably more casual. Although each year includes a Ladies Day competition, prizes include vouchers and gifts. Although a leading racecourse, the actual"
"race to Valentine's Brook, a vital section of the race where many a favourite fell. Foinavon's famous victory in 1967 will be remembered as one of O'Hehir's finest moments in racing commentaries and won him great respect for the speed and smoothness with which he picked out the unconsidered outsider. O'Hehir later confessed in an interview that he it had been his inability to identify the colours on his card when inspecting the riders silks in the weighing room prior to the race that had led him to question rider John Buckingham who his mount was. Buckingham advised O'Hehir that"
"Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, also known as simply Stratford Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, England. Stratford Racecourse hosts a number of meets. Unlike races at Ascot Racecourse or Epsom Racecourse, the attire is considerably more casual. Although each year includes a Ladies Day competition, prizes include vouchers and gifts. Although a leading racecourse, the actual course is fairly small, holding race meets from March until November each year. The racecourse has three enclosures: the Club Enclosure, Tattersall Enclosure and the Centre Course. Stratford Racecourse is also the home of Stratford Touring Park, a campsite"
"Enclosure in August 2010 and is sponsored by events and plant hire company Winner Group. Fontwell Park Racecourse Fontwell Park Racecourse is a horse racing course located in the village of Fontwell in West Sussex, England, owned by ARC Racing. It features an oval hurdles course. Fontwell Park was founded by Alfred Day who trained racehorses at The Hermitage, by the Chichester to Arundel road, from 1887. Day brought the name Fontwell back into use after researching the history of the area, and by 1924 he had purchased enough land to open a racecourse at Fontwell. The hurdles track was"
"havoc and make a clean jump of the fence on the outside. Although 17 jockeys remounted and some made up considerable ground, particularly Josh Gifford on 15/2 favourite Honey End, none had time to catch Foinavon before he crossed the finishing line. The 7th/23rd fence was officially named the 'Foinavon fence' in 1984. The 1970s were mixed years for the Grand National. In 1973, eight years after Mrs. Mirabel Topham announced she was seeking a buyer, the racecourse was finally sold to property developer Bill Davies. Davies tripled the admission prices, and consequently, the attendance at the 1975 race, won"
"Taunton Racecourse Taunton Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Orchard Portman, two miles south of Taunton, Somerset, England. Opened in 1927, Taunton is the youngest National Hunt course in England, and the last racecourse to be opened in Britain until Great Leighs in 2008. Horse racing has been taking place in the Taunton area since the 18th century, initially taking place in Broomhay, West Monkton, though these ceased in 1812 due in combination to the Napoleonic Wars and a lack of interest. Racing continued in Bridgwater, north, but recommenced in Taunton in 1825. The course was on"
"Craven Stakes The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 1 mile on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in mid-April. The event is named after William Craven, 6th Baron Craven, a member of the Jockey Club in the 18th century. His support for racing at Newmarket led to the introduction of the Craven Meeting in 1771. The first race had a subscription of 5 guineas, to which 21 subscribed. It was to be run ""from the ditch to the turn of the"
"Helena Vale Racecourse The Helena Vale Racecourse was a Thoroughbred horse racing track in the eastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia now known as Midvale. The course operated from the 1890s until the late 1960s. The first meeting was held in April 1898. The racecourse complex included stables, grandstand, mounting yard and racing track. Patrick (Lucky) Connolly brought a controlling interest in the racecourse in the pre world war one era, and maintained an interest for over 30 years. The Helena Vale railway branch which started in the vicinity of Bellevue railway station was utilised to move troops from Blackboy"
"did make up considerable ground, especially Josh Gifford on 15/2 favourite Honey End, none had time to catch Foinavon before he passed the finishing post 15 lengths clear. His success paid out a record 444/1 on the Tote. After the race, commentator Michael O'Hehir suggested that with obstacles like Becher's Brook and Valentine's, the 23rd might one day be named after Foinavon. In 1984, the Aintree executive officially named the fence (the smallest on the course at 4 ft 6 in) the ""Foinavon fence"". As part of the BBC's coverage of the 2010 Grand National, jockey John Buckingham described some"
"Valiant Stakes The Valiant Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to mares and fillies aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 7 furlongs and 213 yards (1,603 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in July. The race was first run 1998 as the ""Bonusprint Fillies' Conditions Stakes"". It was given its current name and awarded Listed status in 2009. The race was moved from mid-August to late July as of 2002. The 2005 running took place at Newbury. <br> Namroodah finished first in 2016"
"of the racecourse is now a cricket pitch. Local football team Alexandra Park FC also play at the Racecourse Ground. Meanwhile, the course is also commemorated in local pub names the ""Starting Gate"" and ""Victoria Stakes"" Alexandra Park Racecourse Alexandra Park Racecourse (30 June 1868 - 8 September 1970) was horse racing venue in Alexandra Park, London. It was colloquially known as the Frying Pan on account of its shape. The course could be described as ""pear-shaped with a stick attached"", hence the nickname the ""Frying Pan"". There were 2 loops coming off a single straight. Races were run over"
"Leeds and Liverpool Canal), The Valentine, named after a fence on the racecourse, and the Old Roan (now closed), which gives its name to a railway station in the village. The village also had a public library (now closed). A retail park along Ormskirk Road on former industrial land has brought a significant number of major out-of-town shops to the area. Aintree Davenhill Primary School has a large field with a metal building that was built in the 1950s (since been rebuilt). The building was going to be a hospital building, but was turned into a school. The classrooms were"
"Folkestone Racecourse Folkestone Racecourse was a thoroughbred horse racing venue in southeast England, until it closed in 2012. It is located in Westenhanger, by junction 11 of the M20 motorway and about two miles west of Folkestone. Since 2013 the venue has hosted the War and Peace show previously held at the Hop Farm at Beltring. The course remains closed and all running rail and steeplechase fences have been removed. In May 2016 it was revealed that the land covered by the racecourse forms part of a plan to develop and build housing. The history of the Westenhanger estate dates"
"The fence where the mêlée occurred is now named ""Foinavon Fence""). Some followers of steeplechasing feel that the race has now lost a considerable amount of its character due to changes made to the course (notably the softening of the fences). Other NH races of note include the King George VI Chase, run at Kempton Park on 26 December and the Hennessy Gold Cup run at Newbury at the end of November. Hunter chases take place at national hunt racecourses, but are only open to horses that have hunter certificates. Hunter certificates are issued to horses that have hunted for"
"winner Dar Re Mi, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Eclipse Stakes winner Nathaniel, Irish Oaks winner Great Heavens there, and many others. Clarehaven Stables Clarehaven Stables is a thoroughbred horse racing stable built next to the Bury Road in the horse racing town of Newmarket. It was built early in the 20th century and was bought by the businessman and philanthropist Sir David Robinson in the 1960s, after which it became the base for his successful racing operation. It is now a base to racehorse trainer John Gosden, a British flat racing Champion Trainer, who has trained"
"weather races. In 2014, citing dissatisfaction with the degradation of the Polytrack surface, the course was closed for several months while a new artificial surface, Tapeta, was laid down. The course reopened on 11 August 2014. The course has been granted planning permission by Wolverhampton City Council, to expand the hotel from 54 to 170 bedrooms and to tarmac the over-spill car park. The £26 million project also includes plans for a casino which would create the first racino in the UK. Wolverhampton Racecourse Wolverhampton Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. The track"
"The Canal Turn saw the end of Lord Windermere, Buywise and Final Nudge. Chase The Spud pulled up before The Chair, which claimed Alpha Des Obeaux and Saint Are. Delusionsofgrandeur and Maggio were pulled up at the beginning of the second circuit, and The Dutchman unseated its rider at Foinavon as Pleasant Company took over the lead. Ucello Conti lost its rider three fences from home, while Seeyouatmidnight challenged Pleasant Company for the lead. Tiger Roll made its move and hit the lead on the 29th fence. On the run-in, Pleasant Company fought back and almost caught Tiger Roll, losing"
"Southwell Racecourse Southwell Racecourse (pronounced /ˈsʌðəl/ or /ˈsaʊθwɛl/) is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located east of Southwell in Nottinghamshire, England. It is one of only six racecourse in the UK to have an all-weather track and is the only one with a fibresand surface. Fibresand is a mixture of sand and wispy fibres. The racing is also of significance. The now unique fibresand racing surface is quite deep and so makes the track a good stamina test. Ability to stay the distance and fitness are therefore big advantages at Southwell. The track also often features many of the most"