Grand National 2010 ~ The Going Is: Good to Soft, Good in places
The 'Going' is the term used to describe the condition of the ground at Aintree or any racecourse on a race day. The Going (course conditions) are officially described as: 'Firm' 'Good' 'Good to Soft' 'Good to Firm' 'Soft' or 'Heavy'. For a Grand National race the worst conditions for the runners and jockeys are 'Firm' or 'Heavy' going.
UPDATED April 10th: Good to soft, Good in places
The going for the John Smith's Grand National was described as good to soft, good in places on Saturday morning after Aintree officials watered the famous track and put three to four millimetres on.
That is a slight change from the overnight report of good to soft, while the going on the Midlmay and hurdle courses is good, good to soft in places from good.
How Does The Going Effect The Race?
On the day of the Grand National the 'Going' can play a massive part in the outcome of the race. Certain horses prefer different types of ground, firm conditions suit those faster horses in the race and soft or heavy ground suits horses with bags of stamina.
The Going not only effects the speed of the runners but also the jumping. Firm ground can lead to a cavalry charge up to the first fence with the risk of fallers greatly increased. Heavy ground can make the race even more treacherous than normal.
On 28 occasions the National has been run on 'Heavy' ground, only an average of 8 horses finished the course! If the going is heavy you are more likely to see a long shot winner than you are on 'good' or 'soft' ground. Ben Nevis the 40-1 shot won on heavy ground in 1980 and in 2001 Red Marauder romped home at 33-1 on similar going.
The Stats
Statistically the Grand National is more likely to see a larger number of finishers when the going is good. Good to soft also yields plenty of finishers. However, if the heavens open on Aintree in the days running up to the race, you might want to consider an each way bet on one of the rank outsiders.
YEAR |
GOING |
FINISHERS |
RUNNERS |
1971 |
GOOD |
13 |
38 |
1972 |
SOFT |
9 |
42 |
1973 |
FIRM |
10 |
38 |
1974 |
GOOD |
17 |
42 |
1975 |
GOOD |
10 |
31 |
1976 |
FIRM |
16 |
32 |
1977 |
GOOD |
11 |
42 |
1978 |
FIRM |
15 |
37 |
1979 |
GOOD |
7 |
34 |
1980 |
HEAVY |
4 |
30 |
1981 |
GOOD |
12 |
39 |
1982 |
GOOD |
8 |
39 |
1983 |
SOFT |
10 |
41 |
1984 |
GOOD |
23 |
40 |
1985 |
GOOD TO SOFT |
11 |
40 |
1986 |
GOOD TO SOFT |
17 |
40 |
1987 |
GOOD |
22 |
40 |
1988 |
GOOD TO SOFT |
9 |
40 |
1989 |
HEAVY |
14 |
40 |
1990 |
FIRM |
20 |
38 |
1991 |
GOOD TO SOFT |
17 |
40 |
1992 |
GOOD TO SOFT |
22 |
40 |
1993 |
GOOD TO FIRM |
VOID RACE |
VOID RACE |
1994 |
HEAVY |
6 |
36 |
1995 |
GOOD |
15 |
35 |
1996 |
GOOD |
17 |
27 |
1997 |
GOOD |
17 |
36 |
1998 |
HEAVY |
6 |
37 |
1999 |
GOOD |
18 |
32 |
2000 |
GOOD TO FIRM |
17 |
40 |
2001 |
HEAVY |
4 |
40 |
2002 |
GOOD |
11 |
40 |
2003 |
GOOD |
14 |
40 |
2004 |
GOOD |
11 |
39 |
2005 |
GOOD TO SOFT |
21 |
40 |
2006 |
GOOD TO SOFT |
9 |
40 |
2007 |
GOOD |
12 |
40 |
2008 |
GOOD |
15 |
40 |
2009 |
GOOD |
17 |
40 |
2010 |
GOOD TO SOFT |
14 |
40 |
