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◢ Bogskar won the 1940 Grand National at 25/1, trained by Lord Hugh Stalbridge and ridden by Mervyn Jones, taking it by four lengths on good ground. MacMoffat nabbed second at 8/1, guided by Captain L Scott Briggs and jockey Ian Alder.

Gold Arrow claimed third at 50/1, trained by J R Neill with Peter Lay aboard, while Symaethis finished fourth at 100/6, under G Langlands and jockey Matthew Feakes.

The 99th National, and the last before World War II halted racing, saw Bogskar triumph in his debut run, a feat darkened by the war’s looming shadow. Had war not intervened, Bogskar ~ primed for his peak years ~ might have repeated; instead, he fell in 1946 and 1947, marking this as a poignant final pre-war hurrah.

Flight Sergeant Mervyn Jones, in his sole ride, delivered a poised performance before his tragic death in 1942, shot down over Norway in a Spitfire.

Only 30 runners started, a slim field for Aintree, with nine finishing. Stalbridge, managing a small string, saw his only National completion from five attempts with this victory.

1940 Grand National Race Details
• Full 1940 National Racecard Newspaper Racecard Copy
• 1940 Full Finishing Order
• 1940 Non Finishers
• 1940 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1940 Grand National Recommended Video Vault
• Pathe News Video Of Groundsmen Preparing The National Course
• Grand National Course Is Ploughed For War~Time Victory
• 1940 British Paramount War~Time Grand National

◢ The Grand National was halted during WW2. The country was on a war footing. Racetracks were ploughed and used for food production, runways, barracks, even prisoner of war camps. Aintree racecourse and it's surrounds was used for allsorts of things.

◢ The Second World War was a total war in which massive armies advanced, confronting whole populations with impossible choices. The manufacture of weapons transformed industry and the workforce; area bombing campaigns reduced cities to rubble; sieges doomed populations to starvation; racial policies sponsored campaigns of genocide.

WW2 Video Introduction: Told through incredible archive footage & expert interviews, this is the ultimate guide to WW2 as it happened.

◢ Lovely Cottage won the 1946 Grand National at 25/1 by 4l, trained by Tommy Rayson and ridden by Capt R Robert ‘Bobby’ Petre, taking it by four lengths on good ground. Jack Tatters nabbed second at 100/1 for trainer Lionel Elwell and jockey William Kidney.

Prince Regent, the 7/2 favorite, had to settle for third place with jockey Tim Hyde aboard, while Housewarmer finished fourth at 25/1, under the handling of jockey Aubrey Brabazon.

The first National since 1940, after a 5year war hiatus, saw a modest field take on Aintree’s brutal test, with Lovely Cottage emerging as the 100th winner in the race’s history.

With horse racing reeling from wartime disruption, only 34 runners started, a shadow of pre-war fields. Six finished, reflecting the sport’s slow postwar recovery. Lovely Cottage’s triumph marked a new chapter, as Petre’s steady ride and Rayson’s preparation delivered a poignant victory to a nation emerging from conflict.

1946 Grand National Race Details
• Full Racecard Details
• Partial 1946 National Racecard Newspaper Racecard Copy
• 1946 Full Finishing Order
• 1946 Non Finishers
• 1946 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1946 Grand National Recommended Video Vault
• Pathe News Video Of Groundsmen Preparing The 46 Course
• Long Shot Wins Grand National 1946 Canadian Newsreel

◢ Caughoo stunned at 100/1 in the 1947 Grand National, trained by Irish veterinarian Herbert McDowell [ 1 ] [ 2 ] and ridden by Eddie Dempsey, romping home by 20 lengths on good ground. Lough Conn took second at 100/1, guided home by jockey Daniel McCann.

Kami nabbed third at 40/1, trained by Tom Masson [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] with jockey John Hislop aboard, while Prince Regent, the 8/1 favourite, faded to fourth under 2 more Irishmen Tom William Dreaper and jockey Tim Hyde.

An Irish-bred horse, owned, trained, and ridden by Irishmen, Caughoo’s victory came from a £50 purchase by owner John McDowell, turning a bargain into Grand National glory.

#race note: 2nd place jockey Daniel McCann and the winner Eddie Dempsey nearly came to blows after the race. McCann was accusing Dempsey of taking a shortcut during the fog, ie hiding behind a fence and joining in late on the 2nd circuit haha.. Rumours lingered for 50 years until film of the race disproved McCann's claims.

A massive 57 runners started, the largest postwar field yet, with only eight finishing. Dempsey’s debut ride was his only National completion, and McDowell’s sole entry delivered a fairytale win. The race showcased Ireland’s postwar racing resurgence, as Caughoo crushed a chaotic field.

1947 Grand National Race Details
• Full Racecard Details
• Partial 1947 National Racecard Newspaper Racecard Copy
• 1947 Full Finishing Order
• 1947 Non Finishers
• 1947 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1947 Grand National Recommended Video Vault
• Pathe News Video Of Groundsmen Preparing The 47 National Course
• 1947 Grand National Day & Race Filmed By Fred Pedley On 16mm Cine Film

Honourable Mention 🎬 Amateur Cameraman Fred Pedley
• Excellent Collection Of Pedley's 16mm Cine Films
• Fred Pedley's 16mm Cine Films Playlists By Subject

◢ Sheila’s Cottage won the 1948 Grand National at 50/1, trained by Neville Franklin Crump and ridden by Arthur Thompson, edging home by one length on good ground. First of the Dandies took second at 100/1, guided by Gerald Wilson and jockey Jimmy Brogan.

Cromwell nabbed third at 20/1, trained by Peter Victor Ferdinand Cazalet with Anthony Mildmay aboard, while Happy Home finished fourth at 33/1 for trainer Fulke Walwyn and jockey Glen Kelly.

A tight finish saw Sheila’s Cottage (img) hold off a late charge, marking a rare mare’s victory in a race still finding its postwar footing.

From 43 starters, 14 finished, a solid completion rate for Aintree’s grueling course. Crump’s first of three National wins showcased his emerging talent, while Thompson’s ride sealed a dramatic upset. The race highlighted the sport’s growing stability, with Sheila’s Cottage etching her name in history.

1948 Grand National Race Details
• Full Racecard Details
• Partial 1948 National Racecard Newspaper Racecard Copy
• 1948 Full Finishing Order
• 1948 Non Finishers
• 1948 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1948 Grand National Recommended Video Vault
• Pathe News Video Of Groundsmen Preparing The 48 Course
• Movietone Replay Of Sheila's Cottage 48 National Win

◢ Russian Hero took the 1949 Grand National at 66/1, trained by George R Owen and ridden by Leo McMorrow, winning by eight lengths on slightly firm ground. Roimond nabbed second at 100/7, guided by trainer George Beeby and ridden by Dick Francis.

Royal Mount claimed third at 33/1, trained by J B Powell with Patrick Doyle aboard, while 6/1f Cromwell finished fourth for Anthony Bingham Mildmay (2nd Baron Mildmay of Flete).

A punishing course saw 26 fallers, but Russian Hero powered through, securing a hefty £13,000 prize for owner Fearnie Williamson.

Of 43 starters, only 11 finished, with 26 independent falls underscoring Aintree’s brutal toll. Owen and McMorrow’s lone National triumph came in their only attempt, capping the decade with a shock victory. The race’s high attrition fueled debates on safety, setting the stage for future scrutiny.

1949 Grand National Race Details
• Full Racecard Details
• Partial 1949 National Racecard Newspaper Racecard Copy
• 1949 Full Finishing Order
• 1949 Non Finishers
• 1949 Grand National ▪ Full Race Result ▪ Race Report ▪ Runners ▪ Riders ▪ Trainers ▪ Weights ▪ Prize Money

1949 Grand National Recommended Video Vault
• Movietone Replay Of Russian Hero's 49 National Win