Amazing Grand National photos show extent of world’s most fearsome race where even jockeys hide for cover under fences

THE Grand National is the world’s most fearsome race – where even brave jockeys hide for cover under the fences.

The Aintree showpiece has provided some amazing photographs over the years.

This incredible photo shows jockey Johnson scrambling for cover under a fence after falling off his horse during the 2001 Grand NationalPoor old Johnson was sent flying head-first to the turf the following year as well

Jockey Barry literally flew through the air during the 2001 Grand National

Legendary jockey Fitzgerald took an almighty fall in the 2001 race

But perhaps none captures better the sense of danger and drama as that of Richard Johnson scurrying for cover under The Chair in 2001.

That famous fence is one of 30 jumped during the 4m 2½f marathon.

Johnson, who won the Welsh and Scottish Grand Nationals but never the big one, hid under the obstacle after falling from 10-1 joint-favourite Edmond.

Amazingly, only four horses finished the race that year, which was won by 33-1 outsider Red Marauder.

Poor Johnson took a few tumbles during the National.

He was sent flying the very next year when landing head-first after going off Gower-Slave at Becher’s Brook.

But back to 2001, which proved an especially hazardous year owing to the atrocious conditions the race was run in.

The sight of Shay Barry literally flying through the air made for an amazing image.

Russell was sent head over heels in this fall in the 2004 National

Another jockey takes cover under an Aintree fence to avoid coming into traffic

Jockey O’Dwyer goes flying during this fall in 2004

Scholfield takes a crunching fall from joint-favourite Teaforthree in 2014

Iconic jockey McCoy took an awful fall two years before winning the race for the first time

As did that of famed jockey Mick Fitzgerald going airborne in the same race when he was unseated from Esprit De Cotte.

Davy Russell – who twice won the race on Tiger Roll, the defending champion who will not run this year – took an almighty fall in 2004.

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The Irish jockey had to miss this year’s Cheltenham Festival owing to another injury.

But he showed how tough he is by recovering from the tumble he took from Takagi at The Chair.

Jockey O’Regan goes the wrong way round when being unseated from Black Apalachi in 2009

Carberry falls off favourite Point Barrow at the first fence in the 2007 National at Aintree

So did Nick Scholfield, who hit the turf head-first when falling from 10-1 joint-favourite Teaforthree in the 2014 race.

The horse had been travelling menacingly well until that point but blundered at The Chair, which was the 15th fence in the race.

Iconic rider AP McCoy was champion jockey 20 times but never won the big one until victorious on Don’t Push It in 2010.

Two years before that he had to be helped off the course after falling from Butler’s Cabin.

Let’s hope this year’s race – back after being cancelled last year – throws up its fair share of drama but that everyone gets round safe and well.

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