When they carry less weight
Age is only part of the equation though – with the weight carried by the horse proving as, if not more, important.
Since World War Two, only seven Grand Nationals have been won by horses carrying more than 11st 5 lbs – two of which were by the famed Red Rum.
Another one of these wins was in 2015, when Many Clouds carried 11st 9lb as he rode to victory.
The Grand National is a handicap chase, which means that all horses carry weights – with the faster horses carrying more weight in order to make the race “as even as possible” with all horses having “an even chance of winning”.
This means that horses carrying more than 11 stone 6lbs have often struggled, although there is speculation that recent changes to the race could help horses with high weights a bit more.
Since 1839, the average weight carried by a Grand National winner is 10 st 12 lbs.
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