Grand National

About

The Grand National (Otherwise known as The National or The Aintree National) is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England, near to Liverpool. First run in 1839, as the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase, it is a handicap steeplechase over an official distance of about 4 miles 2+1⁄2 furlongs (4 miles 550 yards; 7 kilometres), with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2017. An event that is prominent in British culture, the race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year.