24.11.11 - RACING AT AINTREE

Aintree welcomes the Christmas season with its new Festive Race Date

Aintree Racecourse looks set to start the festive period next weekend, when its famous Grand National trials raceday, Becher Chase Day, opens on its new fixture date in the racing calendar on Saturday 3rd December.

Billed as the ideal pre-Christmas gathering for friends and family, the day will host two races over the famous Grand National course and fences in addition to a full line-up of Christmas entertainment, including a live brass band and festive food stalls.

Father Christmas will also be at the racecourse to greet the little ones, with admission being free for children on this raceday. Aintree are also offering special ‘Mates Rate’ for advance online bookers to encourage friends to get together and celebrate Christmas at the home of the Grand National. Mates Rates offers four tickets for the price of three, with general admission offering access to all of Aintree’s seated grandstand areas and indoor bars and betting open on the day.

Emma Owen, Marketing and PR Manager, Aintree Racecourse, commented, ‘With Christmas just around the corner, we’ve giving racegoers the chance to get friends and family together to enjoy racing over the Grand National fences and festive entertainment.  This meeting usually gives the first indication as to what horses may be entered for the Grand National so is a real quality day’s racing, our final raceday before the 2012 John Smith’s Grand National.’

General admission tickets for this day are on now sale, with advance tickets from £17 for adults, whilst accompanied children aged 17 and under go free. Hospitality starts at £55 per person and kids eat free.  To book, call 0844 579 3001 or buy online at www.aintree.co.uk

- Ends -

 For further information, please contact Emma Owen on emma.owen@thejockeyclub.co.uk or Sarah Driscoll on sarah.driscoll@thejockeyclub.co.uk

 Notes to editors

Gates open at 10am each day. First race is at midday, with the last race at 3.20pm.