Book Your Ticket for the Aintree Grand National
The Aintree Grand National is sponsored by John Smith’s. Its inaugural race was run in 1839, and has grown to be one of the most anticipated and famous horse racing events. It is a racing event that has always been synonymous with heart stopping finishes, stories of courage and the evidence of team work between horses and riders as they complete a challenging thirty fence course. As the horse racing industry starts to prepare for the 2008 Aintree Grand National, spectators are hurrying off to ticket vendors to secure their place at the prestigious race.
The 161st Aintree Grand National will be held between the 3rd of April and the 5th of April 2008. Each day will hold a magnificent line up of events. Starting with Thursday, following races will be run: The John Smith’s Great Float Social Club Liverpool Hurdle, The Totesport Bowl Steeple Chase, The John Smith’s Anniversary 4 Year Old Novice’s Hurdle, The John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Steeple Chase, The Silver Cross Prams Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase, The Citroen C5 Mersey Novice’s Hurdle and the John Smith’s Handicap Hurdle.
Friday will showcase the John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase, The Citroen C5 Novices’ Hurdle, The John Smith’s Melling Steeple Chase, The John Smith’s Topham Steeple Chase, The Littlewoods Direct Top Novices’ Hurdle, The Totepool Handicap Steeple Chase and the John Smith’s Mares Only Standard Open NH Race. The Aintree Grand National comes to an end on Saturday, with the John Smith’s Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle, John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase, The Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises Aintree Hurdle, The John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Hurdle, The John Smith’s Grand National Steeple Chase, The John Smith’s Winner’s Tipple Novices Handicap Chase, The John Smith’s Champion Standard Open NH Flat and the John Smith’s People’s Race, which is a charity flat race.
Building of the course before the Aintree Grand National starts approximately a month in advance, as transporting spruce and ensuring that the fences are as safe as possible takes time and precision. Some of the fences have been named, such as the Becher’s Brook, which received its name from Captain Martin Becher who fell off his horse and into the ditch in 1839. Some of the horses that will be seen taking part in this year’s horse racing event include Backbeat, Joes Edge, Lami, Bewleys Berry, Over the Creek, Butlers Cabin, Simon, Hedgehunter, Hi Cloy, Slim Pickings, Vodka Bleu, Chelsea Harbour, King John’s Castle, Knowhere, Cloudy Lane and Mr Pointment.
Restaurants, competitions and entertainment will keep spectators occupied between races, but it is undoubtedly the racing action that ultimately makes the show. It is the perfect opportunity for socializing, displaying the latest racing fashions and a chance to see some of the world’s greatest horses live and in action.
