A national standstill
ON the first Saturday of April this year, the Grand National’s traditional date, the gates of Aintree Racecourse remained closed. No horses graced the famous turf, primed for the biggest race of their lives, no jockeys dazzled in brightly coloured silks and no excited racegoers bustled into the historic Liverpool venue.
It was the first time in 75 years that the Aintree grandstands have fallen silent on the day of the world’s greatest steeplechase. Not since the end of World War II has the Grand National not taken place, but this time it was due to a pandemic that has halted the globe.
The race began in 1839 and even continued through World War I. During these years, three Nationals took place at Gatwick Racecourse, an old course that has since become part of Gatwick Airport. The National was then officially suspended from 1941 until
