Aintree

Home to the "World's Greatest Steeplechase", Aintree stages the Grand National in April as the highlight of a top class three-day meeting. The course only stages seven days racing this year but the Becher Chase meeting in mid-November is another very decent meeting and one which includes a spin over the National fences.

The course covers a huge area with the National course and more conventional Mildmay course combined but set in a residential area it cannot claim to have the same natural beauty of a Goodwood or Cheltenham and is rather flat and featureless.

That said, getting a good look at the big fences is well worth it if you can spare the time and those that wish to carry on their lively on-course atmosphere should have no hesitation in repairing to the city centre.

Address:

Aintree Racecourse, Ormskirk Road, Aintree, Liverpool L9 5AS

Tel: 0151 5232600 (Office)

Fax: 0151 522 2920

Course: Aintree has two courses, the Grand National and the Mildmay. The former is two-and-a-quarter miles round and includes famous fences such as Becher's Brook, the Chair and Canal Turn. It is perfectly flat and has a run-in of 494 yards, including the Elbow. The Mildmay track is a sharp, mile-and-a-half circuit. The birch fences are stiff in nature.

By Road: Aintree Racecourse is located on the A59, just one mile from the junction of the M57 and M58, which link to the M62 and M6. Follow the A59 to Liverpool, and the AA signs as you approach the racecourse for routes to the car parks. Parking costs anything from free to £25.00.

By Rail: Regular services are available from most major cities to Liverpool Lime Street. Local trains go to Aintree station, which is located two minutes away from Pedestrian Entrance 2.

By Air: Regular flights to Manchester Airport (40 minutes from the racecourse) or to Liverpool (20 minutes from the racecourse).