Thundering hooves, shock wins and a nation in suspense: the toughest horse race of the year is coming up fast. From your nan to your co-workers, the postman to your dentist, everyone will be glued to the television, betting slip in hand, hoping, praying that this is their year.
But what about seeing it for real? Soaking up the atmosphere, seeing the turf fly, roaring on your pick as it enters the final straight? Well, if that sounds like your cup of tea you need to forget the sofa or the pub in 2015 and visit Aintree to see one of the greatest sporting events on earth.
Book up our Aintree Travelodge soon if you want somewhere to sleep off the celebrations (or commiserations) and check our guide below to the 2015 Grand National Festival.
Grand Opening Day, 9 April
The festival opens with a bang, offering world-class Grade One races as well as plenty of live entertainment to keep you at the course well after the final horse reaches the winning post.
A perfect curtain-raiser for the festival, and we bet you’ll make sure you’ve booked a room in our Aintree Travelodge to get some rest before Day Two!
Ladies Day, 10 April
Two-time Cheltenham champion Katie Walsh has set the bar high with her photos for the Grand National Festival campaign. Will anyone measure up? The second day of the festival sees the ladies descend on Aintree so expect big heels, big hair and even bigger hats! A fashionista’s paradise, get your glad rags on for a day of class both on and off the course.
There’s also a Best Dressed competition so it won’t just be those competing in the big races of the day (including the Topham Steele Chase, Melling Steeple Chase and the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle) that have plenty at stake on Day Two.
Hats a-ready!
Grand National Day, 11 April
And so to the big one. The race where legends are born and reputations broken. The race watched by 600 million people worldwide and you could be there in the flesh to see it all unfold.
All the greats have taken on the likes of The Chair, Becher’s Brook and Canal Turn on their way to victory, with horses from Red Rum to last year’s winner, 25/1 shot Pineau De Re entering their names in the history books. With no Double Seven to challenge, will last year’s winner hold on to top prize? Or will bookies’ favourite Balthazar King take the crown?
Come see what all the fuss is about for yourself:book into our hotel near Aintree for a champion stay. We promise you won’t regret it, whatever the result!
