Aintree, home of the John Smith's Grand National!

Steeplechasing at Aintree was introduced in 1839, though flat racing had teken place there for many years prior to this. It is regarded as one of the most difficult of all courses to successfully complete, with 16 steeplechase fences including The Chair, Canal Turn and Becher's Brook. These are so infamous that even their names strike fear into the most professional of jockeys.

All fences bar the water jump are covered with spruce unlike any other course in British national hunt racing. Four other races take place over the National fences. These are the Topham Chase (formerly known as the John Hughes Trophy Chase) and the Fox Hunters' Chase at the Grand National meeting and the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase and Becher Handicap Chase in the November meeting.

Within the large National course there is also the smaller Mildmay course containing hurdles and fences. These fences are made of traditional national hunt material. The only fence common to the National and Mildmay courses is the water jump.

By Train
Liverpool Lime Street Station is Liverpool’s mainline train station. Liverpool Central Station is a 5 minute walk from Lime Street. Trains run regularly to Aintree Station.

By Air
Manchester and Liverpool Airports are 40 minutes away.

The course at Aintree is National Hunt, two left-handed courses. Grand National circuit, 2m2f, is flat and has big fences with drop on the landing side and has a long run-in. Mildmay Course, 1m3f, flat with conventional fences, which is sharper than hurdles course.