1844 Grand National
| Grand National | |
| Location | Aintree |
|---|---|
| Date | 28 February 1844 |
| Winning horse | Discount |
| Starting price | 5/1 JF |
| Jockey | Mr John Crickmere |
| Owner | Mr Quartermaine |
| Conditions | Heavy rain |
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The 1844 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the ninth annual running of a handicap steeplechase, later to be regarded as the sixth official running of the Grand National Steeplechase, a horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on Wednesday 28 February 1844 and attracted a field of 16 runners from a field of 41 entrants. It was won by the 5/1 co favourite, Discount, ridden by John Crickmere.
The only change to the course recorded by the reporter of the Liverpool Mercury was that fence thirteen, the stone wall, in front of the stands, was removed and replaced with an artificial hurdle. Another hurdle was added on the course between the training ground and the distance chair. The other fifteen fences were described as being unchanged from the description provided by the same newspaper the previous year.
Start - Just beyond the Melling Road. Fence 1 [17] on the second circuit] Plain good fence. Fence 2 [18] Plain good fence. Fence 3 [19] Plain good fence. Fence 4 [20] Plain good fence. Fence 5 [21] The Upper Brook, where Captain Beecher fell in 1839. Fence 6 [22] A fence inclined to the left that takes the runners towards the Canal side. Fence 7 [23] A fence inclined to the left that takes the runners towards the Canal side. Fence 8 [24] A fence inclined to the left that takes the runners towards the Canal side. Fence 9 [25] A large water jump. Fence 10 [26] Out of the second field along the Canal. Fence 11 [27] Out of the third field along the Canal. Fence 12 [28] A fence into the Anchor Bridge Road. Fence 13 An artificial hurdle leaving the training ground on the racecourse proper [this was a newly added obstacle] Fence 14 An artificial hurdle at the distance chair in front of the stands [replaced the stone wall]. Fence 15 An artificial brook thirteen feet span with a rail. Fence 16 A bank into the Melling Road. Fence 29 An artificial hurdle adjacent to the distance chair on the run in.
On jumping fence twelve the runners would continue onto the widest part of the course, known as the training ground, making the straight along the stands as long as possible a run before starting the second circuit. After jumping fence twenty-eight the runners would turn towards the racecourse at an earlier point, this time jumping the hurdle on the other side of the distance judge's chair.
The only detailed record of the day and the race was taken by the journalist of the Liverpool Mercury, which was syndicated and published by most other papers that reported the events of the race. Heavy rain had fallen regularly in the days leading up to the race, resulting in a smaller attendance than had recently been seen. A further heavy shower, which started shortly before the race, continued throughout the event.
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