THE NEW RACEGOER Here you will find answers to some frequently asked questions. You should find all the information you require if you are planning a trip to the races for the first time.

HOW DO I PURCHASE TICKETS? You can purchase admission tickets/corporate hospitality for all meetings at Aintree by telephoning their dedicated ticket and hospitality lines (Tickets: 0151 522 2929 or Hospitality: 0151 522 2911), Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Tickets, subject to availability can be purchased on the raceday. Tickets for all days of the John Smith's Grand National meeting will sell out in advance of the meeting and it is recommended to purchase in advance. Tickets can also be purchased from the sales office within the Princess Royal Stand reception between the opening hours listed above.

IS IT NECESSARY TO PURCHASE A TICKET IN ADVANCE? At some of Aintree's race meetings, purchasing tickets in advance can save you money. They offer advance-booking discounts for all shoulder race meetings (not Grand National) before specified cut-off dates. Most enclosures at the John Smith's Grand National meeting will sell out months before the event, therefore, they advise to purchase in advance. If you require more advice on selecting a ticket, telephone the ticket hotline on 0151 522 2929. The racecourse also operates discounts for group bookings, which must be purchased in advance.

IS SEATING AVAILABLE? For all meetings (apart from the Grand National meeting), there is unreserved seating in all stands for viewing the racing. Seating is also provided around the racecourse site. For the Grand National meeting, it is necessary to book a grandstand that's description is followed by seat, for example: Princess Royal Stand Seat. If it is not marked with 'seat', the enclosure area will be standing only.

IS THERE CAR PARKING AT THE RACECOURSE? There is a free car park on-course for all meetings apart from the Grand National meeting. They do have limited parking on course for the Grand National meeting, but this is a paid facility and must be booked in advance. It is also necessary to provide the racecourse with car registration numbers for vehicles parked on-site. At the Grand National, they operate a park and ride scheme from Brookfield School in Kirkby (off Junction 6, M57). A courtesy coach will transport racegoers to and from this site.

ARE THE RACECOURSE FACILITIES SUITABLE FOR DISABLED RACEGOERS? It is important to mention any specific disabled requirements to the sales staff when booking tickets. It's strongly recommend the Princes Royal Stand or the Queen Mother Stand for viewing, as these offer the best facilities for disabled racegoers, with disabled toilets and lift access to all floors. If you have any specific disabled parking requirements, please discuss with our sales staff when booking.

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE? At all meetings, it is usual to arrive at least 2 hours before the first race. Aintree caters for a wide audience, with food outlets and entertainment prior to racing. Arriving in plenty of time before racing ensures you get the most out of your day at Aintree.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? Although there is no official dress code, smart is preferable. Most people choose to dress up to go racing, wearing the latest fashions, especially on Ladies' Day of the Grand National meeting, when Aintree stages the Looking Good Style Contest. Aintree's Ladies' Night fixture in May also attracts a spectacle of colour, with both ladies and gents dressing up.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A HAT? It is a common perception that everyone who goes racing wears a hat! Although plenty of our racegoers opt to do so, it is not required.

WHAT IF I REQUIRE MORE INFORMATION/ASSISTANCE ON THE DAY? Aintree operates a team of customer care staff that can assist you on the day in finding the nearest place to bet, toilets or directing to an enclosure. They can be identified by their yellow jackets. During the Grand National meeting, there are specially positioned information points and for other Aintree meetings, the Princess Royal Stand reception is the main information point. Alternatively, by purchasing a racecard, you will be able to find all the information you require for your day at Aintree.

ARE THERE CASH MACHINES ON THE RACECOURSE? There are numerous cash points on the racecourse. These will be located on a map in the racecard. You can also ask one of our customer care staff or ask at an information point. Please note that these machines will charge a fee for withdrawing cash.

CAN I CATCH THE TRAIN TO AINTREE? The nearest mainline train station to Aintree is Liverpool Lime Street. Liverpool Central Station is just a short walk from Lime Street and from there you can catch a train to Aintree. Aintree Station is directly across the road from the main entrance to the racecourse where race trains run frequently. For more information, please call Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or Merseytravel on 0870 608 2608.

IS THE RACECOURSE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN? Aintree Racecourse welcomes children and operates a policy at all other meetings apart from the Grand National, where children aged 16 and under are admitted free, if accompanied by an adult. Aintree stages a Family Raceday in October, which is geared towards the family, with lots of free entertainment for the children. Baby changing facilities can be found on the racecourse site. There are discounts available for children for the Grand National meeting in some enclosures. Please note that some enclosures are unsuitable for young children and we recommend you inform our sales staff when purchasing tickets so that they can advise suitability.

CAN I PURCHASE NECESSITIES ON-COURSE? A stall selling items from paracetamol to camera films and tobacco can be found on course for all meetings at Aintree.

CAN I BRING A PICNIC? There is limited space within the John Smith's No Nonsense Enclosure (Grand National only) for picnics prior to racing. Unfortunately, this is the only area suitable on course and for the Grand National meeting, due to the vigorous search procedures in place, all drink will be confiscated. No alcohol is allowed within a picnic. Picnics are not suitable for any other meetings at Aintree.

CAN I GET A REFUND IF I CAN'T ATTEND? Refunds will not be considered unless badges/tickets/labels are returned to the racecourse, not less than 7 days prior to the race meeting and successfully resold. All refunds will be subject to an administration charge of 15% of the total refund.

WHERE IS AINTREE RACECOURSE? Aintree Racecourse is located on the A59, Liverpool to Preston Road, 5 miles from Liverpool city centre.

THE GRAND NATIONAL

The Grand National a horse race over fences, in the United Kingdom.
Usually held on a Saturday in early April
at Aintree racecourse in Liverpool.

Nowadays the Grand National is run over
two circuits of the Aintree course,
covering four and half miles (7.2 km).

The race is a steeplechase in which horses jump 30 fences
(16 individuals, 2 jumped only on the first circuit).
Some of these have acquired near-legendary status for their severity,
particularly Becher's Brook and The Chair.
Over recent years the fences have been modified.

THE GRAND NATIONAL COURSE

COURSE LENGTH: 4 miles 4 furlongs, (1 furlong = 220 yards) or 7.2km

FENCES TO JUMP: 30 16 first circuit 14 second circuit

STANDARD FENCE HEIGHT: 4ft 6in

USUAL FIELD SIZE: 40

FENCES: 1 & 17 HEIGHT: 4ft 6in The burst of adrenalin at the start of the race ensures that the 1st fence just the standard course size is always taken too quickly, and claims many victims.

BECHER'S BROOK ~ FENCES: 6 & 22 ~ HEIGHT: 4ft 10in Becher's Brook was named after legendary jockey Captain Martin Becher, who fell at this fence in the first Grand National to be held at Aintree, back in 1839. The fence drops two feet on the landing side - known as the 'brook' The fence actually lies on a small bend, and is best taken from right to left.

FOINAVON ~ FENCE: 7 & 23 HEIGHT: 4ft 6in This fence is named after the 100/1 winner in 1967, who was the only horse to jump the fence at the first attempt after a pile-up.

CANAL TURN ~ FENCE: 8 & 24 HEIGHT: 5ft The broad Canal Turn fence lies at right angles to the turn which immediately follows it. Valuable yards can be lost here if it is taken too quickly, or too much to the right - as a result the horses tend to ride the fence like packed sardines. Canal Turn was ultimately responsible for the two-horse finish in 1928.

VALENTINE'S BROOK ~ FENCES: 9 & 25 HEIGHT: 5ft There's nothing romantic about Valentine's. The fence precedes a traversing road and is a slightly smaller version Becher's, offering a drop on the landing side. The fence was named after Irish jockey Alan Power's steed Valentine in 1840, who pulled up at the fence before spectacularly clearing it from a stationary position.

THE CHAIR ~ FENCE:15 HEIGHT: 5ft 2in The biggest fence on the course, and only 3 ft wide. A six-foot ditch on the take-off side makes the jump all the more difficult. The Chair is named after a judge's seat positioned at the side.

WATER JUMP ~ FENCE: 16 HEIGHT: 2ft 9in Although the smallest fence, it has a 10-foot stretch of water on the landing side. Guaranteed to make a splash! The Water Jump causes few problems nowadays, but until 1845 it was actually made of stone.

SOME FACTS ABOUT
THE GRAND NATIONAL

1837 - The first Grand National meeting: The first two races were run in Maghull, and the very first Grand National was won by "The Duke".

1839 - The first Aintree Grand National, won by the 5-1 favourite "Lottery". This was also the year in which the infamous Captain Martin Becher fell from his horse, "Conrad" into the brook when in the lead, thus beginning the legend that is Becher's Brook.

1840 - Valentines (fence 8 and 24) was named this year when a horse called "Valentine" reared up violently before jumping the fence and somehow managing to reach the other side.

1850 - "Abd-El-Kader" won and was the first horse to do so in under 10 minutes, winning £1,000.

1851 - "Abd-El-Kader" became the first ever dual Grand National winner.

1868 - "The Lamb" won for the first time at 9-1, the first grey horse to win the National.

1871 - "The Lamb" became a dual winner at 11-2.

1900 - The National was won by HRH The Prince of Wales' horse "Ambush II".

1919 - Lester Piggott's Grandfather, Ernie Piggott, won the race on "Poethlyn", at 11-4, winning just over £3,500 for the owners.

1921 - A record 35 horses took part with "Shaun Spadah" winning £7,000 for the owners.

1927 - The BBC started its radio coverage showing 37 starters and a win by the 8-1 favourite "Sprig".

1928 - A new record of 42 faced the starter but only two finished as "Tipperary Tim" won at 100-1. Most of the field departed at the Canal Turn when "Easter Hero" fell and caused a huge pile up.

1934 - "Golden Miller", at 8-1, won in 9 minutes and 20 seconds.

1938 - An unlikely pair, Bruce Hobbs at the tender age of 17 on "Battleship" who was just over 15 hands high took the victory.

1941-1945 - Aintree Racecourse was used as an American Army Base for the Second World War.

1956 - The greatest mystery ever on a racecourse occurred with "Devon Loch". It was coronation year, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II's horse, "Devon Loch", was clear coming up to the elbow at the end of the National when he went to jump a non existent obstacle, slipped along the turf and came to a halt being beaten by "ESB". Was it the shadow of the Chair Fence that made him jump? Was it the huge crowd that frightened him with the tremendous crescendo of noise that was about to greet a Royal Grand National winner? We will never know, but Devon Loch will always be known as the unluckiest Aintree loser of all time.

1960 - Saw the first ever televised Grand National with the great Peter O'Sullevan starting his affiliation with Aintree and the Grand National. "Merryman II" won the race in a time of 9 minutes and 26 seconds.

1967 - "Foinavon" won at 100-1 as he was the only horse to negotiate fence 23 at the first time of asking. "Popham Down" ran right across the fence causing complete chaos for the rest of the field. The selling race which took place the day before, saw a horse dead heat for first place that would later bring the Grand National back to its place at the heart of the nation - that horse was called "Red Rum".

1973 - "Red Rum" won his first National in a record time of 9 minutes and 2 seconds. The race revolved around Red Rum and a great Australian chaser called Crisp, both 9-1 joint favourites. Crisp had 12-0 on his back and Red Rum had 10-5. The Australian horse led for a lot of the way but was just run out of it in the last few strides. It was a memorable Grand National and the start of a legend of "Red Rum"

1974 - "Red Rum" at 11-1 won for the second time, with his jockey, Brian Fletcher, taking his third win in the race.

1977 - History was made! "Red Rum" at 9-1 won his third Grand National beating "Churchtown Boy" by 25 lengths. This remains the most moving piece of Aintree's history as this horse captured the heart of the nation. Also in this year Miss Charlotte Brew became the first woman ever to ride in the race but her mount, "Barony Fort", refused with 4 fences still to jump.

1981 - Another Aintree legend saw "Aldaniti" ridden by Bob Champion into first place. Aldaniti had been plagued with injuries throughout his career and Bob Champion had fought to recover from cancer. Aldaniti led from the eleventh fence and beat Spartan Missile, ridden by 54 year old amateur jockey John Thorne, by four lengths. The race was now worth £51,324

1982 - Mrs Geraldine Rees became the first woman to complete the course and last year's winner "Aldaniti" fell at the first fence. Dick Saunders, aged 48, won on Grittar, the 7-1 favourite.

1983 - The first lady of Aintree, trainer Jenny Pitman, won the race with "Corbiere" ridden by Ben De Haan.

1990 - The first horse to win in under 9 minutes - Mr Frisk takes first place in 8 minutes and 47 seconds. A few weeks later Mr Frisk went on to win the Whitbread Gold Cup and became one of the few horses ever to do the big race double.

1991 - What a coincidence! The Seagram Grand National was won by a horse called "Seagram" winning £90,000 for the owners.

1992 - The giant 18 hands high "Party Politics" won despite a tube in his neck to help him breath. The prize money for the winner had now reached £99,943.

1993 - This National that wasn't . First attempt and animal activists meddled at the start. When the race was eventually started Richard Dunwoody got the tape stuck round his neck and a false start was given. Unfortunately the flagman did not see the flag so he never signalled for a false start. Consequently some horses stopped at the start and some horses stopped halfway while 7 carried on to complete the course with "Esha Ness" and John White winning for trainer Jenny Pitman only to be told that the race was void.

1997 - A bomb scare disrupted the race and it was re-scheduled for Monday afternoon where it was won by "Lord Gyllene" ridden by Tony Dobbin.

2004 - A record 70,000 people watched racing legend Ginger McCain make history by becoming only the second trainer in history to secure four Grand National victories. 16-1 outsider Amberleigh House, ridden by Graham Lee, caused an emotional storm as he came late to take the glory from the 10-1 co-favourite Clan Royal by three lengths, once more making McCain the King of Aintree.

2006 - Numbersixvalverde wins at 11/1 - this horse (actually number 26 in the race!) is named after the owner's Spanish villa! It beat Hedgehunter and Clan Royal (both 5/1 favourites) to save the bookmakers from millions of pounds worth of payouts! Only nine finished the race, but there were no horse or jockey injuries.