1843 Grand National

The 1843 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was the fifth official annual running of a handicap steeplechase, later to become known as the Grand National Steeplechase handicap horse race which took place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool on Wednesday 1 March 1843 and attracted a field of 16 runners.

Although recorded by the press at the time as the eighth running of the Grand Liverpool, which was renamed the Grand National in 1847, the first three runnings were poorly organised affairs and are not currently officially recognised.

This year the race was run as a handicap, with horses weighted according to their ability. In previous years they had all carried the same amount. The National has remained a handicap ever since.

Sixteen horses went to post for the race with nine of the riders making their Grand National debut, while Jem Mason and Tom Olliver were the only riders to have taken part every year since 1839. Along with Bartholomew Bretherton the trio equalled Allen McDonough and Horatio Powell's record of taking part in the feature race at five Aintree Spring meetings. All three riders had won the race, leaving Whitworth, Oldacre and Moore as the only riders, with previous experience, not to have previously won the race.