Guide to the Grand National

The Grand National, the world's most famous steeplechase and one of the few sporting events with national, even worldwide, resonance, stands as the centrepiece of a three-day meeting at Aintree.

Crowds packed in at Aintree for the Grand National meeting

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos) 

Scheduled to take place in 2011 on Thursday April 7, Friday April 8 and Saturday April 9, the annual event draws in 150,000 spectators from the city of Liverpool and beyond, and also attracts a worldwide TV audience. The John Smith's Grand National itself is televised in 140 countries and attracts an audience estimated by Aintree at 600 million.

But for those on the ground at Aintree, whether it is in the salubrious Princess Royal stand or the bustling Tattersalls, or even amongst the open spaces and revelry of the Steeplechase enclosure, the experience goeswell beyond the fascinating Grand National. Three days of high quality racing, often featuring Cheltenham Festival winners, support the main event, and the amenities, nightlife and restaurants of Liverpool are just fifteen minutes train journey away.

Schedule

Thursday: Liverpool Day - the racing highlights are the Totesport Bowl, the John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle and the Foxhunters' Steeplechase, which is run over the National fences.

Friday: Ladies' Day - an increasingly popular fixture, which marries top racing - including the John Smith's Melling Steeplechase, the Sefton Novices' Hurdle and, over the National Fences, the John Smith's Topham Steeplechase - with one of Liverpool's top social occasions.

Saturday: John Smith's Grand National Day - the most famous steeplechase in the world takes centre stage.