2013 Grand National

In addition to modifications made for the previous year's race, Aintree announced that a number of further changes had been made for the 2013 National.

Twelve of the 16 fences on the course were rebuilt with the timber frames within them replaced by a softer material known as "plastic birch". The fences are still covered with at least 14 inches of spruce and will remain the same height. The starting line was also moved 90 yards closer to the first fence, further away from the spectators' stands and thereby reducing slightly the overall distance.{{cite web|last=Johnson |first=Becky |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1056926/grand-national-fences-to-be-made-safer |title=Grand National Fences To Be Made Safer |publisher=News.sky.com |date=26 February 2013 |access-date=9 April 2013}}

Aintree and the Professional Jockeys' Association jointly issued a note urging participating jockeys to avoid a false start by paying more attention to the starter's orders, and to better control their speed during the race.{{cite web|last=Keogh |first=Frank |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/21933588 |title=BBC Sport – Grand National 2013: Jockeys advised on safety ahead of race |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=26 March 2013 |access-date=9 April 2013}}

In response to the further changes, David Muir of the RSPCA said: "They have done more than I thought they would. Fundamentally the changes that have been made are major already. They've taken the cores of the fences out, there is a cooling down area now, there's a water system and there's a reduction in the number of drop fences; [however] we'd still like to see changes to Becher's Brook, the drop is still a concern."{{cite web|last=Wilson |first=Joe |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/22022076 |title=BBC Sport – Grand National 2013: BHA defends Aintree race safety |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=4 April 2013 |access-date=9 April 2013}}

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| image1 = [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/22051354 The BBC's gallery of images from the 2013 Grand National]

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Entries for the race had to be submitted by 30 January 2013. Aintree announced that 84 horses had been entered for consideration in the 2013 Grand National, including last year's runner-up Sunnyhillboy, as well as Seabass and Cappa Bleu, third and fourth in the 2012 race respectively. Others hoping to return to the National for 2013 included Oscar Time, Big Fella Thanks, What A Friend, Cloudy Lane, Calgary Bay, and 2011 winner Ballabriggs.

Eight of the entrants were trained in Wales, including Cappa Bleu; the only Welsh-trained horse to have won the Grand National was Kirkland in 1905. Thirty-two of the 84 were trained in Ireland.

Handicap weights were announced by the British Horseracing Authority in London on 12 February.{{cite web |url=http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/84_fo_2013_john_smiths_grand_national_at_aintree/ |title=84 for 2013 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree |publisher=Aintree.co.uk |access-date=9 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602183159/http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/84_fo_2013_john_smiths_grand_national_at_aintree/ |archive-date=2 June 2013 |url-status=dead }} The top weight of 11 st 10 lb was allotted to Tidal Bay, trained by last year's winning trainer Paul Nicholls, however the horse was withdrawn two days later with a stress fracture of the lower cannon bone on his right hind leg. 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander now carries top weight. The National's official betting partner, Betfred, put Seabass (11 st 2 lb), On His Own (10 st 10 lb), and Prince De Beauchene (11 st 3 lb) as joint-favourites upon announcement of the handicaps. Prince De Beauchene was later withdrawn with a stress fracture.{{cite web |url=http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/favourite_seabass_given_11st_2lb_in_2013_john_smiths_grand_national/ |title=FAVOURITE SEABASS GIVEN 11st 2lb IN 2013 JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL |publisher=Aintree.co.uk |access-date=9 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602151542/http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/favourite_seabass_given_11st_2lb_in_2013_john_smiths_grand_national/ |archive-date=2 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}

There were scratchings' deadlines on 26 February and 19 March, after which 57 entries remained. 1 April marked the five-day confirmation stage at which 49 horses remained and were ranked according to their ratings. On 4 April the final field of 40 runners was declared:{{cite web |url=http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/john_smiths_grand_national_declared_runners_reserves/ |title=John Smith's Grand National Declared Runners & Reserves |publisher=Aintree.co.uk |date=14 April 2012 |access-date=9 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407111735/http://www.aintree.co.uk/news/john_smiths_grand_national_declared_runners_reserves/ |archive-date=7 April 2013 |url-status=dead }}

• Great Britain unless stated.
• Amateur jockeys denoted by preceding title, e.g. Mr.

The starter Hugh Barclay got the field of 40 horses off and running at the first attempt, the start line having been moved 90 yards closer to the first fence and further away from the spectators' stands. Seabass was sent off as 11/2 favourite, with jockey Katie Walsh becoming the first female rider to start a Grand National as favourite. Her brother Ruby Walsh was second-favourite on board On His Own.{{Cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/grand-national/9976317/Grand-National-2013-Ryan-Mania-rides-66-1-shot-Auroras-Encore-to-victory-at-Aintree.html | title = Grand National 2013: Ryan Mania rides 66–1 shot Auroras Encore to victory at Aintree| work = The Daily Telegraph | access-date = 10 April 2013 | date = 6 April 2013 | first = Marcus | last = Armytage | location=London}}

For the first time in history, all 40 runners made it to the Canal Turn – the eighth of the 30 fences – without mishap. Across the Bay led over the Turn from Balthazar King, while three riders were unseated. Andrew Thornton became the first of only two jockeys in the 2013 National to fall from his mount as the field streamed over the 12th fence.

The Chair is the penultimate fence on the first circuit and marked the end of the race for champion jockey Tony McCoy who was unseated from Colbert Station. Thirty-two of the 40 participants were still in contention going onto the second circuit, led by Across the Bay from Balthazar King, Oscar Time, and Teaforthree.

All the remaining runners safely jumped the second Becher's Brook, the first time since 1996 that the famous fence had not claimed any fallers. Ruby Walsh fell at Valentine's (the 25th fence) after which several runners had been pulled up, leaving 21 still racing. Irish-trained Oscar Time and Welsh-trained Teaforthree led the field, with Auroras Encore emerging in third position. At the final fence, Paul Carberry pulled up Chicago Grey while Mumbles Head refused and two other horses unseated their riders.

At the elbow on the 494-yard run-in, Auroras Encore had extended his lead over Teaforthree and Oscar Time, the latter fading and quickly overtaken by Cappa Bleu. At the line, the pairing of Auroras Encore and Ryan Mania – taking his first ride in the Grand National – won by a distance of nine lengths, Cappa Bleu pipped Teaforthree for second place, Oscar Time finished in fourth and Rare Bob was fifth. Seventeen runners completed the course.

{{multiple image | width = 75 | header = John Smith's Grand National Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) 2013| direction = horizontal| align = left| caption_align = center

|image1=Owner Mr D G Pryde.svg |alt1=Royal blue, yellow diamond, checked sleeves, royal blue cap, yellow diamond |caption1=Auroras Encore
1st @ 66/1

|image2=Owner Mr and Mrs William Rucker.svg |alt2=Royal blue, pink hoop |caption2=Cappa Bleu
2nd @ 12/1

|image3=Owner Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman.svg |alt3=Dark blue and white stripes, halved sleeves |caption3=Teaforthree
3rd @ 10/1

|image4=Owner R Waley-cohen and sir Martin and S Broughton.svg |alt4=Brown, orange seams and sleeves, orange and brown quartered cap |caption4=Oscar Time
4th @ 66/1

|image5=Owner D A Syndicate.svg |alt5=Royal blue, red seams, royal blue sleeves and cap |caption5=Rare Bob
5th @ 16/1

|image6=Owner Mr D A Johnson.svg |alt6=Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots |caption6=Swing Bill
6th @ 80/1

|image7=Owner Mr Derrick Mossop.svg |alt7=Dark blue, royal blue chevrons, dark blue cap, royal blue star |caption7=Soll
7th @ 33/1

|image8=Owner Mr Richard Gilbert.svg |alt8=ROYAL BLUE and WHITE (quartered), BLACK and WHITE striped sleeves and cap |caption8=Tarquinius
8th @ 100/1

|image9=Owner Mr D W Fox.svg |alt9=Light green, yellow inverted triangle, yellow sleeves, red diamonds, yellow cap, red diamonds |caption9=Saint Are
9th @ 50/1

|image10=Owner Mr and Mrs Peter James Douglas.svg |alt10=Mauve and purple diabolo, purple sleeves, mauve armlets and diamond on purple cap |caption10=Always Waining
10th @ 33/1

}}

{{multiple image | width = 75 | header = | direction = horizontal| align = left| caption_align = center

|image1=Owner Baker Dodd and Cooke.svg |alt1=Yellow, large black spots and armlets, black and yellow quartered cap |caption1=Major Malarkey
11th @ 50/1

|image2=Owner Mr Ian J Fogg.svg |alt2=Royal blue, orange star, royal blue sleeves, orange stars and cap |caption2=Join Together
12th @ 25/1

|image3=Owner Gunners Syndicate.svg |alt3=Maroon, white braces and sleeves |caption3=Seabass
13th @ 11/2 F

|image4=Owner Scotch Piper Syndicate.svg |alt4=Light blue, brown star, diabolo on sleeves and star on cap |caption4=Across The Bay
14th @ 40/1

|image5=Owner The Brushmakers.svg |alt5=Red, royal blue stars, hooped sleeves and star on cap |caption5=Balthazar King
15th @ 16/1

|image6=Owner Mr John P McManus_red_cap.svg |alt6=Emerald green, yellow hoops, red cap |caption6=Quiscover Fontaine
16th @ 40/1

|image7=Owner Cash Is King.svg |alt7=Pink and mauve (quartered), mauve sleeves, white cap |caption7=Any Currency
17th @ 100/1

|image8=Owner Mrs D Thompson.svg |alt8=Pink, purple cross belts, hooped sleeves, purple cap |caption8=Mumbles Head
Refused @ 100/1

|image9=Owner Mr B E Nielsen.svg |alt9=Black, yellow cap |caption9=Treacle
Unseated Rider @ 33/1

|image10=Owner Mr Ian A Robinson.svg |alt10=Black, white stars, striped sleeves, black cap |caption10=Imperial Commander
Pulled Up @ 11/1

}}

{{multiple image | width = 75 | header = | direction = horizontal| align = left| caption_align = center

|image1=Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg |alt1=Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap |caption1=Ballabriggs
Pulled Up @ 20/1

|image2=Owner Mr Ged Mason.svg |alt2=white, royal blue epaulets, white sleeves, red spots, royal blue cap |caption2=What A Friend
Pulled Up @ 33/1

|image3=Owner Mr D Cox.svg |alt3=Dark blue, emerald green seams, white cap |caption3=Ninetieth Minute
Pulled Up @ 80/1

|image4=Owner The Stewart Family.svg |alt4=Black and white (halved), red sleeves and cap |caption4=Tatenen
Fell @ 100/1

|image5=Owner Crossed Fingers Partnership.svg |alt5=Light blue, royal blue star, white and royal blue check sleeves and cap |caption5=Big Fella Thanks
Unseated Rider @ 33/1

|image6=Owner Mr Noel Glynn.svg |alt6=White, light blue sash, brown cap |caption6=Becausei­couldntsee
Pulled Up @ 66/1

|image7=Owner Mr John P McManus_star_on_cap.svg |alt7=Emerald Green, Yellow hoops, Emerald Green cap, White star |caption7=Sunnyhillboy
Unseated Rider @ 20/1

|image8=Owner Goat Racing Syndicate.svg |alt8=Red and white stripes, hooped sleeves, striped cap |caption8=Forpadyde­plasterer
Pulled Up @ 66/1

|image9=Owner Mr Andrew Dick.svg |alt9=Black, grey disc, armlets and cap |caption9=Weird Al
Pulled Up @ 66/1

|image10=Owner Mr John Earls.svg |alt10=Maroon, yellow star, hooped sleeves, yellow cap |caption10=Chicago Grey
Pulled Up @ 11/1

}}

{{multiple image | width = 75 | header = | direction = horizontal| align = left| caption_align = center

|image1=Owner Mrs Kay Browne.svg |alt1=Red, white cross of lorraine and sleeves, red cap |caption1=Joncol
Pulled Up @ 50/1

|image2=Owner Mr Kevin T Clancy.svg |alt2=Emerald green, red hoop, halved sleeves, red cap |caption2=The Rainbow Hunter
Unseated Rider @ 50/1

|image3=Owner Mrs C Strang Steel.svg |alt3=Cerise, white sash, black cap |caption3=Mr Moonshine
Pulled Up @ 66/1

|image4=Owner Mr S Munir.svg |alt4=Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap |caption4=Roberto Goldback
Unseated Rider @ 25/1

|image5=Owner Mr John P McManus.svg |alt5=Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap |caption5=Colbert Station
Unseated Rider @ 12/1

|image6=Owner Red Barn Syndicate.svg |alt6=Black, light blue sleeves, red cap |caption6=Quel Esprit
Pulled Up @ 40/1

|image7=Owner Mrs Caroline Mould.svg |alt7=Red, royal blue chevrons, armlets and star on cap |caption7=Viking Blond
Pulled Up @ 66/1

|image8=Owner Mr Graham Wylie.svg |alt8=Black and beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, beige cap |caption8=On His Own
Fell @ 8/1

|image9=Owner Mr John P McManus_blue_cap.svg |alt9=Emerald green, yellow hoops, royal blue cap |caption9=Lost Glory
Pulled Up @ 50/1

|image10=Owner Sir Alex Ferguson.svg |alt10=Red, white stars on sleeves |caption10=Harry The Viking
Pulled Up @ 40/1

}}

{{clear}}

Sue Smith became only the third woman to train a Grand National winner, after Jenny Pitman (1983 and 1995) and Venetia Williams (2009). Smith said afterward: "I knew the ground was right for him and hoped everything else was. He stayed down the middle and had a bit of luck in running. He didn't have a lot of weight and that helped, too."

Auroras Encore was jockey Ryan Mania's first ride in the National. He said after his victory: "There are no words to describe it. I got a dream ride round. I couldn't believe my luck." Mania added that he could not "go too mad" with his celebrations as he was due to race at Hexham the next day.{{cite news|author=Grand National |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/grand-national/9976943/Grand-National-2013-I-cant-go-mad-Im-racing-tomorrow-says-Auroras-Encore-jockey-Ryan-Mania.html |title=Grand National 2013: I can't go mad, I'm racing tomorrow, says Auroras Encore jockey Ryan Mania |publisher=Telegraph |date= 6 April 2013|access-date=9 April 2013 |location=London}} He did race the following afternoon, but was injured in a fall during the St. John Lee Handicap Hurdle and had to be airlifted to Newcastle Royal Infirmary where he was described as being in a "stable" condition.{{cite news|author=Horse Racing |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9977341/Grand-National-winning-jockey-Ryan-Mania-taken-to-hospital-in-air-ambulance-after-suffering-fall-at-Hexham.html |title=Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania taken to hospital in air ambulance after suffering fall at Hexham |publisher=Telegraph |date= 7 April 2013|access-date=9 April 2013 |location=London}} He was released from hospital two days later with minor neck and back injuries, saying he was "feeling a bit tired and a bit sore but apart from that I'm OK, it's nothing serious."{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/apr/09/grand-national-ryan-mania-released-hospital | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Tony | last=Paley | title=Grand National-winning jockey Ryan Mania released from hospital | date=9 April 2013}}

With two equine fatalities in each of the two previous Nationals, much of the media commentary after the 2013 race hailed the fact that all 40 runners had returned safely to the stables and that only two had fallen at the modified fences. The RSPCA's chief executive Gavin Grant said that his organisation was "delighted that the changes seem to have contributed to a safe yet competitive race." Roly Owers of World Horse Welfare added: "Aintree can take considerable credit for the improvements they have made to the course. It is too early to say with certainty whether the softer fences are making a difference, but ... the initial signs are encouraging."{{cite news|author=Greg Wood at Aintree |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/apr/06/aintree-hail-new-era-grand-national |title=Aintree hail new era for Grand National with all runners back safe | Sport | The Observer |publisher=Guardian |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=9 April 2013 |location=London}}

Channel 4 enjoyed a 61% share of the UK terrestrial television audience at its peak during the race. Though its peak viewing figures were down by 2 million from the 2012 race which was broadcast on the BBC and watched by nearly 11 million in the UK, they were slightly above those registered by the BBC in 2011 and 2009 and more than 1 million above those achieved in 2010.{{cite news|author=Greg Wood |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/apr/07/grand-national-ratings-delight-channel-4 |title=Grand National coverage ratings bring delight for Channel 4 Racing | Sport |publisher=The Guardian |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=9 April 2013 |location=London}}

{{Quote box

|quote = Auroras Encore has taken over and leads the National field up the run-in. They head to the elbow, Auroras Encore from Teaforthree, then Oscar Time back in third place, followed by Cappa Bleu and Swing Bill. Inside the final furlong, Auroras Encore and Ryan Mania out in front here and has drawn eight lengths clear of the tiring Teaforthree, Cappa Bleu running on, but it will go to the Sue Smith team! Auroras Encore and Ryan Mania win the John Smith's Grand National!

|source = Channel 4 lead commentator Simon Holt describes the climax of the race.{{cite news | title = Watch exclusive coverage of the 2013 Grand National from Aintree | publisher = Channel 4 | url = http://racing.channel4.com/watch-now/live/index.html | access-date = 6 April 2013 | date = 6 April 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130318011108/http://racing.channel4.com/watch-now/live/index.html | archive-date = 18 March 2013 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}

|width = 35%

|quoted = 1

|align = right

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As the Grand National is accorded the status of an event of national interest in the United Kingdom and is listed on the Ofcom Code on Sports and Other Listed and Designated Events, it must be shown on free-to-air terrestrial television in the UK. Channel 4 took over the broadcasting rights from the BBC for a four-year period from 2013.{{cite web|author=GMT |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/17423844 |title=BBC Sport – Channel 4 gets rights for Grand National, Derby and Royal Ascot |publisher=BBC |date=19 March 2012 |access-date=15 April 2012}}

Clare Balding and Nick Luck presented Channel 4's coverage, supported by Jim McGrath, Mick Fitzgerald and Graham Cunningham. Reports were provided by Rishi Persad and Alice Plunkett and betting updates by Tanya Stevenson and Brian Gleeson. Balding, Fitzgerald and Persad were previously regulars of BBC's coverage team for the race in recent years. The commentary team was composed of Richard Hoiles, Ian Bartlett (also previously part of the BBC's team) and Simon Holt. As lead commentator for Channel 4, Holt called the winner home for the first time.{{cite web|title=Channel 4's Grand National Showcase |url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4s-grand-national-showcase |publisher=Channel 4 |date=20 March 2013 |access-date=20 March 2013}} After the race, Nick Luck, Mick Fitzgerald and Richard Hoiles provided the viewers with a detailed re-run of the race.

Whereas the BBC lost the television rights for the race, its radio station 5 Live broadcast the race as before, the 81st consecutive running of the National to be covered live on BBC radio.

• Horseracing in Great Britain
• List of British National Hunt races

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{{Grand National}}

2013

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