Grand National

Aintree Racecourse, Thursday 7th - Saturday 9th April 2011

The opening of The John Smith’s Grand National 2011 meeting was marked with Liverpool Day on Thursday at Aintree Racecourse.

The long awaited 172nd Grand National meeting got underway in style, with racing enthusiasts enjoying the opening day at Aintree Racecourse, as the racing community geared itself up for the most famous race in the world, one which has grown enormously in stature and quality in recent times.

The crowds amassed early at the Aintree Racecourse, coming from all over the country and indeed the world to appreciate the racing spectacle that the Grand National has to offer.

Grand National hospitality guests were welcomed by the charming Aintree hospitality hostesses at the exclusive Corbière Suite in Aintree’s renowned Lord Sefton Stand. The Corbière Suite is a fabulous modern glass fronted restaurant, which has its own private balcony which gives its privileged guests panoramic views of the famous racecourse, providing them with an unrivalled elevated vantage point of the final furlong and the winning post.

The hospitality guests enjoyed a much welcomed champagne reception in the glorious sunshine on the balcony as they took in the breathtaking views overlooking the racecourse under the early-summer sun.

The feature race on Liverpool day at the Grand National meeting was the Liverpool Hurdle, which would see a repeat of the World Hurdle at Cheltenham, with Big Buck’s facing a rematch with Grands Crus. The opening race proved well worth the wait for the expectant crowds at the racecourse, with a thrilling encounter seeing Ruby Walsh’s Big Buck’s edge a victory over his rival Grands Crus in the finishing straight.

Grand National Hospitality guests greeted the popular winner with cheers from the restaurant balcony as the victor passed by the Lord Sefton Stand on his way to the parade ring.

Friday at Aintree was the sell out Ladies’ Day at the Grand National meeting, a day which has soared in popularity in recent times as female racegoers turned out in their most glamorous outfits to celebrate the Ladies’ Day extravaganza at the Merseyside racecourse.

Another day of blazing sunshine greeted the Grand National hospitality guests, for what promised to be a vintage Ladies’ Day with the sun out and the frocks and hats on, as the build up to Saturday’s big race gathered speed.

Grand National hospitality guests in the exclusive Corbière Suite enjoyed a sublime four course luncheon withing the glass fronted restaurant before the day’s racing got underway. The atmosphere amongst the guests was second to none, as racing enthusiasts compared their tips for the day and talked all things Ladies Day as everyone enjoyed the superb Grand National hospitality on offer. The complimentary bar was in full flow as guests indulged themselves in the bright sunshine on day two of the Grand National meeting.

The headline race on Ladies’ Day was the Melling Chase at Aintree racecourse, showcasing some of the finest mounts in this two and a half mile chase. Hospitality guests made their way to the private balcony to the restaurant, so they could enjoy the racing in all its glory from the grandstand balcony.

This hotly contested race went right to the wire, with the favourite - Albertas Run leading the pack into the final straight. The pace quickened as the packed grandstands roared their horses home, with Somersby and Master Minded challenging for the lead into the closing stages. Master Mined proved his resilience as he and Tony McCoy dug deep to hold on for the win, as guests on the restaurant balcony showed their appreciation to the competitors at the winning post beneath them.

With bright sunshine still gracing the Aintree racecourse, Saturday at the John Smith’s Grand National had finally arrived, as the racing world turned their gaze towards Aintree, the home of the world’s most famous race.

There was a phenomenal atmosphere all over the racecourse, with crowds packing out the Merseyside racecourse to the rafters for this momentous sell out occasion. The corporate entertainment in the hospitality restaurant allowed the Grand National guests to experience the very best Aintree hospitality whilst enjoying the fantastic action on the racetrack below.

The air of excitement surrounding the Grand National’s feature race was almost tangible, with plenty of money going down on 100-1 shots and the pre-race favourites alike from the ardent punters on the Aintree racecourse.

For those needing a little added guidance when it came to the big race, Hospitalityfinder welcomed champion jockey Steve Smith-Eccles to the restaurant to give guests the inside scoop on what to look out for on Saturday’s Grand National.

With a tote betting facility located within the plush Corbière Suite, the Grand National hospitality clients didn’t need to leave the comfort of the hospitality suite to back their picks for the day.

The complimentary bar flowed freely as guests took drinks onto the restaurant balcony to marvel at the panoramic views across the capacity crowds at Aintree.

Having enjoyed a wonderful four course luncheon within the restaurant, guests placed any final bets and again, made their way out onto the private balcony to soak up the pre-race atmosphere ahead of the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National.

The leading favourites before the race were The Midnight Club, Silver By Nature and Don’t Push It and after a significant flurry of late betting, Aintree held its breath for another Grand National showpiece spectacular.

After a chorus of encouragement to jockeys and horses, the race finally got underway to a crescendo of cheers erupting from the Aintree capacity crowds for the John Smith’s Grand National.

Hello Bud took an early lead from Ballabriggs and The Midnight Club in second and third places respectively after the first few jumps. With about seven abreast going over each hurdle, the lead was continually being changed hands, with Santa’s Son and Majestic Concorde each taking on the mantle during the first lap of the unforgiving Aintree course.

There were several fallers and eventually the lead pack began to string out going into the closing stages, with Ballabriggs retaking the lead. Killyglen then suffered a dramatic fall which badly hampered The Midnight Club, giving Ballabriggs an extra advantage going over the final few fences and allowing Niche Market up into second. Oscar Time put up a rousing fight going into the final furlong, with every fan trackside roaring the horses on as they thundered towards the Aintree grandstands, setting up a thrilling finish in front of the Grand National Hospitality guests on the restaurant balcony.

Ballabriggs eventually managed to hold off Oscar Time’s brave final flourish along last year’s winner Don’t Push It, to claim the 2011 John Smith’s Grand National victory and receive the adulation of the crowd on this momentous occasion at Aintree racecourse.

The popular winner was celebrated by the Grand National Day hospitality guests at the Corbière Suite, who witnessed the grandstand finish from the elevated restaurant balcony overlooking the final furlong and winning post.

Guests made their way back into the hospitality suite following the race to enjoy the rest of the day in true Aintree style. Guests couldn’t have wished for a more ideally placed facility, and its prime location at Aintree offers unrivalled views of the famous Aintree racecourse.

Celebrations went on into the early evening with our Grand National hospitality guests enjoying yet another truly fabulous day of corporate entertainment with Hospitalityfinder.

Whatever you require from your Aintree Grand National hospitality, we can more than meet your expectations, so take a look at our Aintree Grand National Corporate Hospitality Packages here, or call us on 0844 247 8998 and a member of our team will find the perfect package for you.