05.01.09 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

JOHN SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL WORTH RECORD £900,000 IN 2009

Aintree Racecourse is pleased to announce that the 2009 renewal of the world’s greatest steeplechase, the John Smith’s Grand National, will be worth a record £900,000, an increase of £100,000 on the 2008 value.

This is the second consecutive year that the value of the John Smith’s Grand National has increased by £100,000.

The 2009 John Smith’s Grand National, run over four and a half miles and 30 famous fences, takes place at 4.15pm on Saturday, April 4.

Julian Thick, Managing Director at Aintree, commented: "Aintree is proud to be able to increase the prize money for the John Smith’s Grand National to £900,000.

"The generous support of John Smith’s has made this possible and since their sponsorship started in 2005 the value of the John Smith’s Grand National has risen from £600,000 to £900,000."