An added feature of the Grand National day experience is the possibility of attending a guided tour of the famous Grand National course at Aintree, a track which has seen thousands of hooves thunder around and plenty of history told on the hallowed turf. It was a chance for the public to get a very rare glimpse at the fences in person.
The five foot birch covered fences provide a unique challenge to participants as there is nowhere else in Britain which have these famous obstacles. Changes have been made to the fences to reduce the amount of fallers and since their inception in 2013, the comparisons speak for themselves. The race has been sanitised greatly and racing fans have the feeling that the race is no longer the challenge it once was, but the attraction of winning the race still burns strongly for trainers, jockeys and owners alike. 
The softer cores inside the newly upgraded fences allow for horses to breeze through them instead of a wooden shell inside the frame which often caused concern for health and safety. Landing and take-off sides were reduced in size, but the famous fence names were still present.
Along the tour, some of those fences were shown, including: 
The First:
An important test in the race as it is the first fence of the Grand National. A long run from the starting point to this fence often leads to a frantic charge of forty horses and riders eagerly thundering wide across the track. It is the first time the horses face the Aintree fences at racing speeds and it often leads to a couple of fallers and mistakes. It is often given a little more respect next time around as it starts the second lap. 
Becher's Brook:
One of the most famous names on the course and the title was given to the fence after Captain Martin Becher hid inside the brook at the foot of the fence to avoid being trampled by other horses in 1839. A regular sized fence, there is a drop on the landing side lower than the take off side. It catches horses by surprise as they land on their front legs and jockeys have to lean backwards in the saddle to counterbalance the weight. Despite remaining a spectacular sight, the fence is not as extreme as it once was. 
Canal Turn:
As horses approach the fence head on, the track suddenly veers sharply to the left due to the Leeds-Liverpool canal. Therefore, the unique test of this fence is a 90-degree bend where horse and riders have to apex the bend almost Formula One-esque to save ground. The fence often causes chaos as different lines meet in the middle and the awkward shift of weight in the saddle can see jockeys unseated from their mount. 
Valentine's:
A large ditch fence which isn't one for the romantics. It comes immediately after the Canal Turn and horses are settling back into a rhythm and regaining their bearings. Named after a runner in the 1840 Grand National, the fence also includes a brook at the base of the landing side. 
The Final Fence:
The final fence is the last jumping test and is a regular fence before a lung bursting slog to the finish line. Horses tend to meet in the middle at this point as brave early leaders are swarmed by chasers arriving on the scene travelling much better. Once the fence is negotiated, the horses then battle for two furlongs towards the winning post. Passing "the elbow", the chance of stardom and national headlines is in sight as jockeys begin to see their name on the trophy. 
The Chair:
The first of two fences jumped just once, but in front of the packed grandstands. The most imposing fence of all, it is the scene for an impressive action shot for those working close to the fence. A six foot wide ditch precedes the fence, big enough to fit a prone human inside it. Horses need to put in a giant leap to navigate the top of the fence in one piece and jockeys often breathe a sigh of relief once landing safely.
Water Jump:

As the title suggests, it is the smallest fence on the entire course but has the added feature of a water base on the landing side. Despite not posing the same challenge as its bigger brother The Chair, the water jump often provides its own spectacular photo opportunities as the birch is scattered and the occasional errant hoof lands just in the water.

Aintree Legends Parade

A yearly tradition on Grand National day at Aintree is the popular legends parade before racing. It provides a lovely throwback and chance to get another glimpse of former Grand National winners over the decades. Now enjoying retirement, the past champions still enjoy the attention and dressing smartly as if they were taking part in the Grand National themselves.  A notable name missing from the parade was One For Arthur, the 2017 Grand National winner who passed away in retirement just weeks before Aintree aged only fourteen. A spectacular winner of the race where he arrived at the height of his career as a young upstart, breezing through the race and providing Scotland with just their second winner of the race in its long history. A sad development and he will be much missed on Grand National day for years to come. 
The full parade of champions:
TIGER ROLL (Authorized x Swiss Roll) Age: 13.
A modern day great of National Hunt racing and one of the most versatile careers ever. Bred by Godolphin as a foal, he is bred well enough to compete in an Epsom Derby, but it would be over jumps where Tiger Roll found his fame. Winning at the Cheltenham Festival five times in three different events, he joined an illustrious list of multiple Cheltenham champions. Already a legend of the sport, Tiger Roll cemented his folklore by winning the Grand National twice in 2018 and 2019. He became the first back-to-back winner of the race since Red Rum and jumped the imposing the fences as if they were branches. Once dubbed as "a little rat" by his owner Michael O'Leary, Tiger Roll was all heart which saw him achieve so much in racing. 
NEPTUNE COLLONGES (Dom Alco x Castille Collonges) Age: 22
A grey horse is always popular in the Grand National and Neptune Collonges rolled back the years by winning the 2012 running at Aintree in the closest finish in the race ever. A high class hurdler and chaser in his younger days, highlights included winning the Grade One Punchestown Gold Cup on two occasions and finished third in the memorable 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup behind Denman and Kauto Star. Age began to tell and as an eleven year old, Neptune Collonges lined up in Liverpool's feature race. Carrying a hefty eleven stone six pounds, the gorgeous grey fought to the bitter end to overhaul Sunnyhillboy and took the race on the line, winning by a nose. He would go into the books as the winner of the last "original" style National before changes to the fences were made and his glittering career was also brought to a close with retirement following the win. Still looking fresh as ever at the grand age of 22, he was a popular face. 
PINEAU DE RE (Maresca Sorrento x Elfe du Perche) Age: 20
The winner of the 2014 running of the Grand National helped put the name of Richard Newland on the map and gave him the reputation of a shrewd operator. A smart handicapper in Ireland during the early stages of his career, Pineau du Re moved yards to Richard Newland in 2013. The horse would be campaigned over hurdles and fences that season and it proved to be an inspired decision come April. A major eyecatcher in the Pertemps Final Handicap over hurdles at Cheltenham, it appeared that Pineau Du Re was very well handicapped for the Grand National. Travelling well throughout, he relished the distance and powered clear at the finish to win by five lengths. Continuing racing beyond his Aintree victory, he would later break a hoodoo of Grand National winners failing to win another race afterwards when Pineau Du Re landed a final career win at Carlisle in 2015. 
MON MOME (Passing Sale x Etoile du Lion) Age: 23
Another golden oldie enjoying the life of retirement, Mon Mome etched his name in the history books as the longest priced winner of the race in 2009 at a mammoth 100-1. It would be a first win in the race for trainer Venetia Williams and the late jockey Liam Treadwell, both careers were boosted no end thanks to that one day in April. Despite winning at Cheltenham earlier in the season, Mon Mome arrived at Aintree out of form which explained the market expectations. Finishing 10th in 2008, the son of Passing Sale produced an effort that went above and beyond anything else he had done before. Arriving at the final fence full of running, Mon Mome surged clear at the elbow and recorded a twelve length victory of the previous year's winner Comply Or Die. Matching the achievments of Foinavon, he stunned the betting ring into silence but is still popular on Merseyside.
SILVER BIRCH (Clearly Bust x All Gone) Age: 26
One of the oldest surviving past winners, Silver Birch famously landed the 2007 Grand National and spring boarded the name of Gordon Elliott into the world of racing. Having fallen at the Chair fence twelve months previously, Silver Birch was campaigned in the cross-country chase series at Cheltenham. Reaching the elbow, Silver Birch held a clear advantage but was all out to repel the challenge of the fast finishing McKelvey. It would be a first major win in Britain for the unknown trainer at the time Gordon Elliott. It would be the start of the high profile career of the Cullentra House-based stable which has won almost every major race on offer. 
ALVARADO (Goldmark x Mrs Jones) Age: 18
A popular stayer who never landed the Grand National, but his big white face was seen finishing with a wet sail into the placings in two Grand Nationals. The flashy chestnut helped to put the name of now highly popular trainer Fergal O'Brien on the map in the infancy of his career and was also a regular winner at the nearby Cheltenham racecourse. A brave type who would stay all day, he finished fourth in his first attempt at the Grand National in 2014; catching the eye by passing beaten horses and finishing behind Pineau De Re. Twelve months and racing off a similar weight, history repeated itself as Alvarado, also known as "Alvin", stayed on best of those held up to take fourth again behind Many Clouds. He was also part of an unwanted record for his owners the Rucker family, whose blue and pink silks finished in the frame for almost ten years in a row thanks to State Of Play, Cappa Bleu and Alvarado. Retirement called for Alvarado in 2019, but not before he finished second and fourth consecutive Scottish Grand Nationals. He now loves the quiet retired life at the O'Brien stables and is still much loved.
VIEUX LION ROUGE (Sabiango x Indecise) Age: 14.
At one point, there was no Grand National without Vieux Lion Rouge, a modern day Aintree legend who now holds a very rare to achieve record. Trained by 2008 National winning trainer David Pipe, the son of Sabiango was a multiple winning hurdler for owner Caroline Tisdall but it wouldn't be until later in his career. Vieux Lion Rouge took part in five Grand Nationals and failed to complete on just one occasion, in 2021 which would be his final attempt. He would finish a high of sixth in 2017 behind One For Arthur. A real course specialist, the bay ran in eleven races over the big fences and won two Becher Chases in December. He holds the record for most Grand National fences jumped with an amazing tally of 254. You could almost set your watch by him whenever he arrived at Aintree. He may not have won a Grand National, but just like any horse, you have to take your hat off to any horse who completes a Grand National course, let alone eleven times. 
BLAKLION (Kayf Tara x Franciscaine) Age: 14
A recent retiree as his owners finally decided to hang up his shoes in March this year, Blaklion might be forgiven for thinking he's running in this year's Grand National. A hugely popular stayer throughout his career, he is a Grade One winning novice chaser after winning the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2016. Competing in his first National in 2017, he was very well fancied and rounded the home bend in a clear lead. He would tire on the run in but still finished a commendable fourth behind One For Arthur. Twelve months later, he was short of luck by being brought down at the first fence. A high profile purchase by new owner Darren Yates, Blaklion switched from Nigel Twiston-Davies's stable to Dan Skelton's with a new hope of winning the Grand National. In 2021 and as a twelve year-old, Blaklion rolled back the years with a brilliant sixth place. Appearing to lose interest in racing in recent months, he will now enjoy a rightfully deserved retirement and the adoration of those attending in the crowd. 
BALTHAZAR KING (King's Theatre x Afdala) Age: 19
Now a regular at these retired racehorse parades, Balthazar King still receives one of the warmest receptions of them all after his exploits on track. A smart hurdler for trainer Phillip Hobbs, it wouldn't be until the King's Theatre gelding went over fences where his popularity soared. Best known for being a dab hand in the Cross-Country discipline at Cheltenham, he won four races over the unique obstacles and placed on another occasion. His enjoyment of the hedge style fences saw him in good stead for Aintree and he raced in three Grand Nationals. A first sighter in 2013 saw him complete in fifteenth place, but a year later would see him go oh so close. Ridden by Richard Johnson who famously never won a Grand National as a jockey, Balthazar King would bound around the course, going clear on the run before finding the much lighter weighted Pineau De Re just too strong in the final metres. A return to the race in 2015 was hoped for one step higher and he was well fancied. Falling at the Canal Turn on the first circuit, he was then t-boned by another horse in a horrific looking incident. Many feared the worst, but Balthazar King would overcome his injuries and enjoys life to the fullest in retirement. A regular in eventing, he still acts like a nine-year-old instead of a nineteen-year-old and is a fine advertisement for the care and welfare given to horses.