The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England.
First run in 1839, it is a handicap steeplechase over 4 miles 3½ furlongs (7.141 km) with horses jumping 30
fences over two laps. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2015.
The course over which the race is run features much larger fences than those found on conventional National Hunt tracks. Many of these,
particularly Becher's Brook, The Chair and the Canal Turn, have become famous in their own right and, combined with the distance of the
event, create what has been called "the ultimate test of horse and rider".
The Grand National has been broadcast live on free-to-air terrestrial television in the United Kingdom since 1960. From then until 2012
it was broadcast by the BBC. Since 2013, it has been shown by Channel 4, which holds the UK broadcasting rights until 2016. An estimated
500 to 600 million people watch the Grand National in over 140 countries. It has also been broadcast on radio since 1927; BBC Radio
held the exclusive radio rights until 2013, however, Talksport also now holds radio commentary rights. The race is popular amongst many
people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year.
The next Grand National will be held on 9 April 2016. The most recent, in 2015, was won by Many Clouds, ridden by jockey Leighton Aspell for
trainer Oliver Sherwood and owner Trevor Hemmings.
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Ascot Racecourse is a British racecourse, located in Ascot,
England, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the
United Kingdom, hosting nine of Britain's 32 annual Group 1 horse races.
The course, owned by Ascot Racecourse Ltd, enjoys close associations with the British Royal Family, being approximately
six miles from Windsor Castle.
Ascot today stages twenty-six days of racing over the course of the year, comprising eighteen flat meetings held between
the months of May and October inclusive. It also stages important jump racing throughout the winter months. The Royal Meeting
held each June, remains a major draw, its highlight being The Gold Cup. The most prestigious race is the King George VI and
Queen Elizabeth Stakes run over the course in July.
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