| Aintree Racecourse is one of the most famous | | | | the first Grand National, and was won by Lottery, |
| racecourses in the world and is located on the A59 at | | | | ridden by Jem Mason. The race of 1839 was a four |
| Ormskirk Road, Aintree (Anglo-Saxon for 'one tree'), in | | | | miler, across country, and the rule was that 'no rider to |
| the northern suburbs of Liverpool, just 6 miles from the | | | | open a gate or ride through a gateway, or more than |
| city centre. | | | | 100 yards along any road, footpath or driftway'. |
| The racecourse occupies more than 250 acres and | | | | The racecourse was handed over to the War Office |
| has two left-handed chasing circuits. The rectangular | | | | in 1915, and after the 1940 National it was again |
| Mildmay Course is the first and was opened in 1953. It | | | | requisitioned by the military. Racing resumed in 1946 |
| is nearly one and a half miles in length, with sharp turns | | | | and in 1949 the racecourse was bought by Messrs |
| and steeplechase fences. | | | | Topham Ltd; who had leased the land for almost a |
| The Grand National course isn't as sharp as the | | | | century; from the Earl of Sefton for £275,000. |
| Mildmay course but is much more demanding which is | | | | Mirabel Topham, an enterprising soul, went on to |
| why it is known as one of the toughest races in the | | | | create the Mildmay course and a motor-racing circuit |
| world, one which all horse trainers aspire to gain entry | | | | which held the European Grand Prix and five British |
| to. The Grand National course is far longer than the | | | | Grand Prix. |
| Mildmay, at almost two and a quarter miles, and is | | | | Bill Davies bought the racecourse in 1973 for £3 |
| completely flat, with fences that have a drop on the | | | | million and in 1975 Ladbrokes saved the Grand National, |
| landing side lower than the take-off side. | | | | which was in danger of dying out, by managing and |
| William Lynn is the man responsible for bringing racing | | | | administering it for seven years at a yearly rent of |
| to the village of Aintree. Lynn was the landlord of the | | | | £250,000. In 1983 the racecourse was deemed |
| Waterloo Hotel and started racing on the land which | | | | secure when the Jockey Club bought it. |
| he leased from the Earl of Sefton. He started to build | | | | Aintree has come a long way from the days when it |
| the grand stand in 1829 and after five months the first | | | | could only be accessed by rail or paddle boat. Now, |
| meeting for flat races was held. | | | | improved rail and network links means that fans can |
| Hurdle racing didn't begin until 1836, when the first | | | | travel by any means to reach the wonderful |
| Liverpool Grand Steeplechase was held at Aintree on | | | | racecourse. There is even a six acre enclosure for |
| February 29th. This race is considered by some as | | | | landing by helicopter on site or the alternative option of |
| being the first ever Grand National and was won by | | | | John Lennon airport twenty minutes drive away, |
| The Duke, ridden by Captain Martin Becher. | | | | meaning that those both home and abroad can come |
| However, the more documented Liverpool Grand | | | | share in the magnificent Aintree festivities. |
| Steeplechase of 1839 is more commonly identified as | | | | |