Every year, Merseyside is the site of one of the most exciting and interesting sporting events in the world. That event, of course, is the Grand National at Aintree. Horse racing enthusiasts travel from far and wide to watch the race, and for good reason given how thrilling it can be. But what makes the Grand National so much fun, and one of the most unique sporting events in the world?
The Stakes
Nothing makes anything more interesting than there being high stakes attached to it. One of the things that makes the Grand National such a high-level sporting event is the fact that there are high stakes for every competitor, with a chance to earn a huge financial reward for entering a horse that wins the race. With the winner earning hundreds of thousands of pounds, there are not many richer races in the UK. As a result, there are not many more exhilarating horse races in the UK either.
The Level Of Competition
With the Grand National being the high stakes race that it is, it is only natural that the best in the world of horse racing take part in it. The large-scale rewards for winning the Grand National bring out the best possible field, which helps make the Grand National one of the best sporting events on the planet. If lesser horses were taking part in this race, it certainly would not be the beloved spectacle that it is.
The Drama
The structure of the Grand National itself makes the event incredibly dramatic, and therefore incredibly exciting. According to Williamhill, the Grand National is one of the most wagered on horse racing events and the dramatic nature of the race itself is a huge reason why.
Part of what makes the Grand National so dramatic is the layout of the race itself. At nearly 7 km, the race is an extremely long one. This opens up a number of opportunities for lead changes and for horses to speed up or get tired when it matters most. And while the distance is a massive source of drama in the race, the biggest reason that the race is so exciting is presence of obstacles on the track.
All of the jumps that take place throughout the Grand National are there to make things more difficult for the competitors. They absolutely accomplish their goal in that regard, as horses win or lose the race based on their ability or inability to clear those jumps without falling down or slowing down. Even the most sure-footed horses in the race can falter on those obstacles, which is the definition of drama. And speaking of drama, the drama of cheering on the horse (or horses) on your betting slip is always a staple of the Grand National.
The combination of high stakes, a talented field, and nonstop drama serve to make the Grand National such a great event and one worthy of the pride of Merseyside for as long as it has been.