Last Updated on August 15, 2026
Each spring, around 40 horses line up for the most famous steeplechase in the world — the Grand National at Aintree. Run over a lung-bursting 4 miles, 2½ furlongs and featuring 30 jumps, it’s a race that’s as much about stamina and heart as it is about speed or form. But what makes the Grand National so unique isn’t just its length or popularity — it’s the fences.
Unlike any other race in the calendar, the Grand National features a mix of obstacles, steep drops, and tight turns that have tested the bravest horses and most skilled jockeys for generations.
Let’s take a full look at what sets these fences apart — and walk through each one, including the famous Becher’s Brook, The Chair, Canal Turn, and others that have become part of racing folklore.
What Makes the Grand National Fences Different?
Most jumps races in Britain, including prestigious contests like the Cheltenham Gold Cup, use standard steeplechase fences. These are uniform in size and layout, typically built of birch and designed to reward clean jumping with rhythm and control.
Aintree’s Grand National course is different.
The fences here are bigger, broader, and built using Lake District spruce, which gives them a distinctive, bushier appearance. The design adds unpredictability to each jump — horses don’t always see a clear outline, and the landing sides can vary in depth and angle. In some cases, the drop on the far side is significantly lower than the take-off, catching out horses and riders mid-air.
For safety, some fences have been modified in recent years, but they remain among the most challenging obstacles in British sport — not just horse racing.
How Many Fences Are There?
There are 30 jumps in the Grand National, but only 16 individual fences. That’s because 14 of them are jumped twice — once on each circuit — while two, The Chair and The Water Jump, are jumped only once, on the first lap.
Here’s the layout:
Fences 1–14 are repeated as Fences 17–30.
Fences 15 & 16 (The Chair and Water Jump) are not included on the second circuit.
Understanding the quirks of each fence adds a lot to the viewing experience. Here’s your complete guide:
Fence-by-Fence Guide to the Grand National Course
Fence 1 & 17 – A Tough Introduction
Height: 4ft 6in
A surprisingly stiff opener. Eager horses and crowded fields often lead to early casualties. It’s crucial for jockeys to settle into a rhythm straight away.
Fence 2 & 18 – The Fan
Height: 4ft 7in
This fence was historically known as The Fan, likely named after a mare that fell here in the 19th century. Although the name is no longer in official use, it was regularly referred to as The Fan in race reports during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
It no longer stands out in modern coverage, but historically it was considered one of the more challenging early jumps — perhaps because it comes so soon after the chaos of the start, when horses are still tightly packed.
Fence 3 & 19 – Westhead Fence
Height: 5ft
The first of the bigger fences. It starts to spread the field out and gives jockeys a sense of how their mount is handling things.
Fence 4 & 20
Height: 4ft 10in
A wide fence with more of an “up and over” feel. Mistakes often come when riders try to save ground by drifting in toward the rail.
Fence 5 & 21
Height: 5ft
This fence is straightforward in design but often catches out horses due to positioning. After the early drama of the first few jumps, jockeys begin settling their mounts and looking for rhythm — but lapses in concentration here can still lead to falls or stumbles. It doesn’t have a famous name or incident attached to it, but it regularly plays a part in thinning out the field.
Fence 6 & 22 – Becher’s Brook
Height: 5ft (with a drop over 6ft on landing)
The most iconic fence in jump racing. It’s named after Captain Martin Becher, who fell here in the first official Grand National in 1839. Legend has it that after falling, he sheltered in the brook to avoid being trampled. He later joked that the water “tasted filthy.”
Though modified in recent decades for safety, Becher’s is still one of the race’s biggest tests — the drop on the landing side remains a unique challenge that catches out horses even today.
Fence 7 & 23 – Foinavon Fence
Height: 4ft 6in
Famous for the extraordinary scenes of 1967, when a loose horse veered across the field at this otherwise unremarkable fence, causing a pile-up. Most runners came to a standstill, but one outsider — Foinavon, at 100/1 — was far enough behind to avoid the chaos and picked his way through to win. The fence was officially named in his honour in 1984.
Fence 8 & 24 – Canal Turn
Height: 5ft
This is a true test of balance and agility. It’s not the fence itself but what comes after — a sharp left-hand turn, almost 90 degrees, immediately on landing. In 1928, 41 of the 42 runners were brought down, refused, or hampered by chaos at this point, with only 7 continuing.
It remains one of the most dramatic parts of the course and can end a horse’s chances in an instant.
Fence 9 & 25 – Valentine’s Brook
Height: 5ft (with a brook on the landing side)
Named after the horse Valentine, who allegedly jumped it hind legs first during the 1840 Grand National — though the truth of that tale is debated.
The fence still requires athleticism and accuracy, and tired horses often land too steeply here, especially on the second circuit.
Fence 10 & 26
Height: 5ft
A more routine fence by Aintree standards, though it can be tricky if approached too fast. Horses that expended too much energy clearing Becher’s, Canal Turn, and Valentine’s can make errors here.
Fence 11 & 27
Height: 5ft
Standard in appearance but often jumped at speed. Jockeys start thinking about positioning here — particularly the second time around.
Fence 12 & 28
Height: 5ft
By this stage, the rhythm of the race is set. This is a fence that rewards concentration — some horses begin to lose fluency here on the second circuit.
Fence 13 & 29
Height: 4ft 7in
The penultimate jump on the second lap. It doesn’t look much, but it plays a part in many late dramas, especially for tired runners with challengers breathing down their neck.
Fence 14 & 30 – The Final Fence
Height: 4ft 6in
Plenty of races have been lost here. Horses running on empty can stumble, unseat, or fade badly after clearing it. From this point, there’s still a 494-yard run-in to the finish — the longest in British racing — meaning the drama isn’t over even after the last jump.
Fence 15 – The Chair
Height: 5ft 2in with a 6ft wide ditch
The tallest fence on the course — and among the most intimidating in Britain. Originally called The Monument Jump, it became known as The Chair because a judge once sat beside it to observe the finish of earlier races.
The Chair has a raised landing side, the opposite of Becher’s, and it’s jumped only once. In 1936, a pile-up here resulted in the death of a horse and prompted course changes. It’s still capable of dramatic and decisive moments today.
Fence 16 – The Water Jump
Height: 2ft 9in
The lowest fence on the course — but visually one of the most famous. Horses leap over a water-filled ditch in front of the grandstands. While less dangerous, it still requires precision. Like The Chair, it’s only jumped on the first circuit.
Conclusion: Every Fence Tells a Story
There’s a reason the Grand National captures the imagination of millions. It’s not just the distance or the size of the field — it’s the ever-present sense that anything can happen. Each fence on the course plays its part in the unfolding drama, from Becher’s and The Chair to the final fence and the long run-in to the finish.
Whether you’re watching as a casual fan or studying the form in detail, understanding the fences adds a whole new level of insight to the world’s most famous steeplechase.
