Inside track

Jockeys reveal the fences they dread most

30 Barry Geraghty

It’s always something to have got this far. On Monty’s Pass back in 2003 crossing the Melling Road (between the third-last and penultimate fence) for the last time was a pivotal point. He was travelling that easy I had all the time in the world to take it in.

9 Tom Scudamore

My grandfather, Michael, who won on Oxo, always used to say you had to get over Valentine’s (ninth) or the 10th before you start enjoying yourself. That is when the race settles down. Until then it’s bedlam.

1 Nico de Boinville

I’ve had two National rides and fallen at the first both times. So I’d have to say I’ll be glad once the first is behind me. It’s a great race to ride in and it’s very disappointing to depart so soon and see the others disappearing into the distance without you.

3 Richard Johnson

This is the first big ditch. I’d say it is very nearly the biggest fence on the course. If you jump it well a horse will draw confidence from it but it can come as a bit of a shock to some horses and it can put you on the back foot from there on. When I rode Monkerhostin in 2007 it unnerved him and he refused at the seventh.

4 Nick Scholfield

I’ve fallen twice here so that is probably my bogey fence, but most jockeys are glad to get over the last. If you’ve done that you’ve beaten the half of the field which hasn’t got round, which is the first objective. Anything after that is a bonus.

8 Robbie Power

I love riding in the Grand National but this is the one fence I don’t like. I like to find a bit of space but because everyone’s trying to cut the corner it gets very crowded and congested going into it. If you get past the Canal second time going well, you’re in with a great chance.