For a few brief moments each year in April, the world's most famous racecourse runs the world's most famous race, The John Smith's Grand National.
The first official races at Aintree were set up by the owner of Liverpool's Waterloo Hotel, Mr William Lynn who leased the land from Lord Sefton, laid out a course, built a grandstand and staged the first Flat fixture on July 7, 1829. The Aintree Grand National was first run in 1839 and was won by the 5-1 favourite "Lottery".
The Grand National Festival continues to increase in popularity and the 2009 event promises 3 days of superb action. Each day has a race over the spectacular Grand National fences which are viewed from the superb triple decker marquee, first seen in the UK at Doncaster for the St Leger Festival
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