Hotels Near Aintree

Who will follow in the hoof prints of Ballabriggs, ridden by Jason Maguire, and claim the £975,000 prize fund for the 2012 John Smith’s Grand National?

The John Smith's Grand National is the climax of three of the most magical days of racing in the jumps season at Aintree Racecourse (following Liverpool Day and Ladies' Day) and one of the highlights in the racing calendar. But the Grand National is more than just a horse racing; it's one of the UK's most iconic events, a race that stops the Nation and a sporting institution.

The John Smith's Grand National follows Liverpool Day on the 12th April and Ladies' Day on the 13th April which, together with the Grand National, provide 3 days of world class racing and entertainment.

Now in its third year, Liverpool Day at Aintree Racecourse brings city-inspired entertainment to the world's most famous racecourse. In addition to racing over the famous course in the John Smith's Foxhunter's Steeple Chase, the day also plays host to the feature race, the £150,000 Grade 1 Totesport Bowl.

Off-course, entertainment line-ups have in past years included a parade of the city's sporting legends, a skydive by the Red Devils, celebrity openers in Ricky Tomlinson and Ken Dodd, as well as performances by The Farm and The Bootleg Beatles not to mention a whole host of Liverpool unsigned talent performing on the Pavilion stage. What's more, Liverpool Day 2012 on Thursday 12th April promises to be bigger and better…

Nothing quite compares to the UK's most famous Ladies' Day at the John Smith's Grand National meeting.  Known as the biggest social and style day out in the North West, Ladies' Day will return to Aintree on Friday 13th April and promises to be more stylish than ever. Raceday fashions provide a spectacle of colour in the Red Rum Garden with some amazing prizes up for grabs for Aintree's most stylish racegoers. With make-up sampling, goody bag giveaways and fashion shows all happening in this area, it’s the ultimate raceday style experience.

For one Saturday each April, Saturday 14th April, you're likely to find your neighbours in the local betting shop for a once-a-year flutter and sitting the family down at 4:15pm, where they will remain captive for the next 15 minutes with around 600 million others worldwide. 

The Holiday Inn Preston is located only 31 miles away from Aintree.