Becher's Brook - Modifications

Modifications

Slight amendments were made to the landing side of Becher's Brook in 1954 after recommendations were made to the National Hunt Committee, but the most significant modifications took place following the events of the 1989 Grand National.

• The sharply sloped ground leading into the brook on the landing side was levelled off significantly;
• Brook raised by 30in to include only 1in of water;
• Fence angle altered to make it straighter so that horses on the inside and outside rise at a similar time;
• Outside running rail splayed out to allow more room for horses landing wide

After a 8-horse pile up on the first circuit of the 2004 Grand National where some horses rolled back towards the now mostly filled-in brook, for the 2005 Grand National the brook itself was completely rebuilt. It was built deeper and included running water for the first time since 1989 and covered over with rubber matting in an effort to make the jump less hazardous for horses that had fallen.

In 2009 the Grand National course was widened so there was enough room for runners to bypass fences if required, including Becher's Brook. The new bypass lane at Becher's was utilised for the first time during the 2011 Grand National as marshals and safely personnel waved flags and diverted the remaining contenders around the fence on the second circuit while veterinary staff attended to a fatally-injured horse.

On 15 August 2011, Aintree announced new modifications to Becher's Brook following a review of the course in the aftermath of the 2011 National. Amongst the changes to the course, the landing side of Becher's was re-profiled to reduce the current drop by between 4 and 5 inches across the width of the fence. The drop is now approximately 18 inches on the inside of the course and 13 inches on the outside of the course. This difference in drop from the inside to the outside of the fence has been retained to encourage riders to spread out across the width of the fence and also to retain the unique characteristics of the fence. The height of the fence remains unaltered at 4 ft 10 inches.