Gaylad wins the Grand National at Aintree

Background. The 1842 race was the fourth official annual running of the steeplechase. The press at the time recorded it as the seventh running of the Grand Liverpool, which was renamed the Grand National in 1847; the first three runnings were poorly organised affairs and are today regarded as unofficial. Unlike the modern handicap format, the 1842 event was not run as a handicap chase. Most runners carried 12 stone, with exceptions for specific winners.

Race Details. The race attracted 15 runners. Contemporary accounts from March 1842 provide details on the participants. The race was not run as a handicap, meaning all runners were declared to carry 12 stone, except for the winner of the 1840 Cheltenham Steeplechase who carried 13 stone 4 lbs. The event was recorded as the seventh running of the Grand Liverpool.

Outcome. Gaylad won the 1842 Grand National, ridden by Tom Olliver. This victory is recorded in historical lists of Grand National winners. The race was part of the early history of the event, which was later formalized as the Grand National. The win contributed to the legacy of the race at Aintree.