The 1869 Grand National was the 31st renewal of the Grand National horse race that took place at Aintree near Liverpool, England, on 3 March 1869.

This year, the fence after Valentine's Brook, previously referred to as the Ditch & Quickset Hedge was now called the Drop Fence.

First circuit: From the start, the runners had a long run away from the racecourse, across the lane towards Fence 1 {15} Ditch and Rails Fence 2 {16} Ditch and Bank, Fence 3 {17} Double Rails, Fence 4 {18} Rails and Ditch, Fence 5 {19} Becher's Brook Fence 6 {20} Post and Rails, Fence 7 {21} Post and Rails, Fence 8 {22} Canal Turn, Fence 9 {23} Valentine's Brook, Fence 10 {24} Drop, Fence 11 {25} Post and Rails, Fence 12 {26} Table Top.

The runners then crossed the lane at the canal bridge to re-enter the racecourse proper, turning at the first opportunity towards the fences in front of the stands. Fence 13 Gorse Hurdle, Fence 14 Stand Water.

Second circuit: The runners then turned away from the Grandstands again and crossed the lane again, following the first circuit until reaching the racecourse again. This time the runners continued to the wider extreme of the course after crossing the lane at canal bridge before turning to run up the straight in front of the stands where Fence 27 Hurdle had to be jumped. This year a second hurdle Fence 28 was reinstated for the first time since 1857.

The runners then bypassed the Gorsed Hurdle and Stand Water inside before reaching the winning post in front of the Main Stand.

Firtunatus was sent off at 7/2 favourite after owner, Mr Brayley declared him to win over his other entrant, last year's runner up, Pearl Diver. Johnny Page took the mount as his fifth ride, having won the race two years earlier.

Fan was sent off as 4/1 second favourite, her backers regarding the mare's performance as runner up two years ago over her second fence refusal last year. Arthur Thorpe had ridden the mare on both of those previous occasions and took the ride again.