The Grand National is simply the biggest betting event of the year. It is very popular amongst people who do not normally watch horse racing. The Grand National is the most valuable National Hunt Horse Race. It takes place on a Saturday in early April at Aintree racecourse.

It is run over 4 and a half miles, two laps of the Aintree circuit. Normally there are around 40 horses in the race, each of whom have to leap 30 jumps including the famous Becher's Brook and The Chair. The race was first run in 1836.

The most famous horse in Grand National history is Red Rum. Red Rum won the National three times in 1973, 1974 and 1977. It also finished 2nd in 1975 and 1976.