Grand National 2008

This years Grand National was held on Saturday, 5th April.
The John Smith's Grand National meeting is held every year at Aintree Race Course in Liverpool and is a 3 day event, this year marks the 161st Grand National. The Grand National Race meeting traditionally starts on the Thursday, the Friday is ladies day and then the Actual Grand National race is held on the Saturday.






The Grand National is one of the largest meetings in the National Hunt Racing Calendar alongside the Cheltenham Festival. It is one of the most popular sporting events in the British Sporting Calendar. Millions of pounds are spent every year betting on the Grand National from £1 sweepstakes at work places up and down the country to the serious gamblers placing thousands of pounds. The Grand National is run over a distance of 4 1/2 miles which is 2 circuits of the course, with 30 fences being jumped. I have been to the Grand National a few times with my husband and father-in-law and the weather is always cold, wet and windy. We did not go last year as the weather was so bad the year before... and what a surprise it was a lovely hot sunny day.

It was horrible watching the race on the television last year, so we agreed that we would definitely go this year. We like to book a badge in one of the stands as it is worth it to get your own seat, and more importantly a clean toilet!!!!!. You need to book as soon as the tickets go on sale to get in the stands as they sell out very quickly. We could only get our second choice this year and we booked the day they went on sale which is usually August/September time. This year we booked into the newly built Earl of Sefton Upper Stand which has spectacular views from the panoramic windows.

The only thing that disappointed us was it did not have a closed roof, it was a canvas roof and quite open so it was freezing and only had small heaters (the kind you would find in a bathroom!!!) to heat the whole bar area. If it was a warm day it would have been perfect. As blue as the sky was, it was icy cold and we had rain and snow. On the upside, the toilets were clean, there was also a large bar area, and an outside terrace for watching the actual race.

Because we were quite high up, we could see the whole course, and on the other side we could see the weighing room and Parade ring. This stand is also by the path where the horses and jockeys came from the stables to the course. Two years ago when we came we were in the Princess Royal stand which is near the finishing post. This was better because in between races there was a warm bar area as well as the terrace outside. The roof and Terrace Stand badges cost between £70 and £87 and are definitely worth the money for the facilities. For unreserved seating in the Enclosure it costs between £16 and £35.

There are plenty of catering facilities and bars at Aintree but if you have booked unreserved seating, the toilets tend to be Portacabin's. There are loads of bookmakers and tote betting (obviously!!!!!) and there is the Parade Ring where previous Grand National Winners are paraded before going on show on the course. There is also the Aintree Pavilion which is a new, multi-purpose venue.

We travelled to Aintree by train as the traffic is manic and the parking is not great. You would think that after 161 years that the Rail companies would know how popular the Grand National is, but no they don't and the trains are a nightmare. If you are travelling from the North West, chances are you will have to change at Preston and Ormskirk. The train from Preston is always packed and people were getting more aggressive as more people were pushing and shoving to get on. Unfortunately there is only the train or car to get you to Aintree.

I just feel that the Rail companies could be a bit better organised for 1 day a year by putting on extra trains as they would fill them 10 times over. There are approx 40,000 people attending the Grand National every year. There are lots of big screens in Aintree so wherever you are sitting or standing you can see the race. I am not really a gambler, but it is the one day a year I look forward to going a bit mad and have a good bet.

There are 4 races before the actual Grand National and 2 after, so I like to have a bet on all races. I like to buy my race card and choose my horses carefully...by the names that I fancy!!!! It is such a great feeling sitting there with my betting slip in my hand shouting like a mad woman at my horse and Jockey because of course they can hear me!!!!!!. It is traditional for ladies to wear hats and dress in smart clothes like dresses or trouser suits. This year for me was to heck with tradition and I dressed to be warm in trousers and a big warm coat, and I was still freezing!!!!. There were still hundreds of ladies in little dresses, hats with no coats on and I felt really sorry for them!!!

I will be going to the National next year and hope for warmer weather!!!! Oh, and a better train service!!! Liverpool is the European City of Culture for 2008, so if you are planning on visiting this City then you should check out events and celebrations happening throughout the year. I also think that everybody should go to the Grand National at least once on their lifetime as it is a fantastic day out. For those who think it is cruel, I counted at least 3 horses that carried on racing and jumping even though they had no rider. You can also see the excitement in the former championswhen they are paraded before the racing starts. Some are in their twenties but you can tell they think they're here to race!!

Congratulations to Timmy Murphy and Comply or Die on their win in this years Grand National.