Grand National racecourse: Where is Aintree and how long is the course? | Racing | Sport

The Grand National 2019 begins on Thursday, March 4 and will see races take place across three days, ending with the Grand National on Saturday, March 6. More than 150,000 racegoers are expected to attend across the three days of racing, for one of the most famous festivals in the racing calendar. This year is the 172nd annual Grand National steeplechase.

Where is Aintree Racecourse? 

Each year the Grand National takes place at the same venue, Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool. 

The racecourse is located in Aintree, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England. 

The main Grand National race will begin at 5.15pm on Saturday, April 6. 

Read More: Grand National 2019 sweepstake kit: Download your FREE kit for Aintree

There were 112 entries for the Grand National submitted this year, including 47 from Ireland. 

There are 40 horses that take part in the race, but the exact horses won’t be known until a few hours before the race begins. 

How long is the Grand National course?

The Grand National steeplechase is known as one of the trickiest and most demanding races in horse racing. 

The Grand National race is run over 4 miles 514 yards (6.907 km) and consists of gruelling jumps and fences. 

All fences apart from the water jump are covered with spruce, which is unlike at any other course in British National Hunt racing.

There are 16 steeplechase fences including renowned obstacles the Chair, Foinavon, Valentine's, Canal Turn and Becher's Brook. 

The course is so demanding that in past races despite 40 horses starting, fewer than 10 will reach the end. 

For example in the 1928 edition of the race, 42 horses began the race and only two reached the finishing post. 

The record for most wins in the Grand National is held by Red Rum, who won three times in the 1970s and also came second twice. 

Last year in the 171st Grand National Davy Russell, the oldest jockey to take part in the race won with his horse Tiger Roll.

For those without tickets, the Grand National will be shown live on ITV1.