Grand National News
Crabbie's Grand National

Memorable 2015 Crabbie's Grand National Festival On The Horizon
Tuesday 2nd December 2014

Boylesports

Britain's richest jump race by far, the Crabbie's Grand National, will again be worth £1 million when run at 4.15pm on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Aintree Racecourse.

Runners parade before the Grand National
© Racehorse Photos
Runners parade before the Grand National

The iconic and world-famous race became the first £1-million jump contest last year when sponsored for the first time by Crabbie's.

Total prize money at the three-day Crabbie's Grand National Festival (April 9-11), which sees two other races also over the Grand National fences, matches last year's magnificent total of £2,795,000.

There are 10 Grade Ones races during the Crabbie's Grand National Festival which means most of the top jump horses will be seen in action at Aintree, making the meeting a true festival.

This season sees no changes to the Grand National course and the Crabbie's Grand National will again be run over 30 fences and four miles & three and a half furlongs.

The £200,000 Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle (two & a half miles), the £150,000 Betfred Bowl Chase (three miles & a furlong) and the Crabbie's Fox Hunters' Chase over the Grand National fences are three of the highlights on Grand Opening Day, Thursday, April 9.

The £200,000 Aintree Melling Chase (two & a half miles) and the £120,000 Crabbie's Topham Chase over the Grand National course lead the way on Ladies Day, Friday, April 10.

The Crabbie's Grand National is supported on Saturday, April 11 by the £120,000 Silver Cross Stayers' Hurdle (three miles & 110 yards) and the £110,000 Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase (two miles).

Quinnbet

Plenty of new initiatives are planned for the 2015 Crabbie's Grand National Festival including additional seating in the Tattersalls Enclosure, improved temporary toilet facilities, a Bandstand area and "chill out zones".

Aintree has also recently revealed a new Ladies Day Style Slogan: "Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman", which is designed to inspire and enthuse racegoers. Aintree has taken advice and guidance from fashion expert Justine Mills, co-founder of Liverpool Boutique Cricket, and top fashion writers, from the likes of Tatler, Hello!, InStyle and Huffington Post, to produce a string of 'Fashion Tips and Tricks' to give a helpful steer towards hot favourites for Spring 2015 and help make next year's Crabbie's Grand National Festival the most stylish to date.

Also on Ladies Day, Aintree will be hosting the inaugural Grand Women's Summit which will celebrate women in horseracing, sport and business. The Grand Women's Summit will provide guests with an informative educational, career and networking opportunity, whilst experiencing one of the largest horseracing festivals in the world. Panellists will include leading figures such as Rose Paterson, Chairman of Aintree Racecourse and the first women chair of a UK racecourse, and Dr Denise Barrett-Baxendale MBE, who is CEO of Everton Football Club in the Community and Deputy CEO of Everton Football Club, as well as jockey Katie Walsh. Other panellists will be announced in due course.

Over 70 Racemakers have been recruited to engage with members of the public to ensure racegoers enjoy an optimum experience. They will welcome customers, work behind the scenes, show people around the racecourse and help create a positive atmosphere. They will be utilised over the three days.

Celebrity chef Simon Rimmer has come on board to help local children design special Street Food recipes which will be on offer to racegoers on all three days of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival.

Advance tickets sales are going well, with Aintree having sold 8,000 more admission tickets as against the same time last year. There are plenty of tickets and hospitality still available for all three days, though people are advised to purchase tickets quickly or they may miss out.

Aintree is launching its new community programme on Betfred Becher Chase Day, this Saturday, December 6, which has a sell-out crowd. As part of this fantastic initiative, Aintree is working with local schools to create a community choir made up of approximately 70 children who will sing the National Anthem on Grand National Day in front of 72,000 people at Aintree and nine million people watching across the UK on Channel 4. Other community initiatives will be announced in due course.

Aintree has also announced recently Sam Twiston-Davies as ambassador for the Crabbie's Grand National for the second year, and Katie Walsh as Ladies Day ambassador, both of whom feature on the Crabbie's Grand National advertising campaign.

John Baker, Regional Director of the Jockey Club North West, said: "The 2014 Crabbie's Grand National was a memorable and unique three-day festival.

"As always, it provided a great story when a long-held dream of two friends, Dr Richard Newland and John Provan, to train and own a Grand National winner became reality as Leighton Aspell crossed the line to land the richest jump prize in Britain with 25/1 shot Pineau De Re.

"There was drama and excitement on a global stage and this season we plan to raise the bar even higher with some exciting improvements such as enhancing racegoers experience on Ladies Day, improved toilet facilities, the Racemaker initiative, additional seating in the Tattersalls enclosure and our community initiatives, as well as 10 Grade One races over the three days of the Festival.

"The Crabbie's Grand National Festival is primarily a fantastic racing event, but in reality it is much more, so we look forward to welcoming all racegoers to Aintree in April."