IF Cheltenham racecourse gave us “the Greatest Show”, then this afternoon Aintree racecourse will bring us “the Greatest Race”, the Grand National. The first official winner of the National was the aptly named Lottery in 1839, trained by George Dockeray, and ridden by Jem Mason. Just before the race started at 3pm, hot money came in for four horses, Lottery, The Nun, Rust, and Daxon. Lottery was first across the line, The Nun was fifth, Rust pulled up, and Daxon fell. The race was famous for one other event when a horse called Conrad fell at the 22nd fence and threw his rider, Captain Martin Becher, into a brook where the captain took shelter to avoid injury. Hence the sixth and 22nd fence is now called Becher’s Brook.