Aintree racecourse and their big-race sponsors Crabbie’s officially marked the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy at this week’s Grand National festival.
Crabbie’s, the official sponsors of the national hunt horse race held annually in Liverpool, marked their support of the Hillsborough Family Supprt Group by renaming Thursday’s hurdle race to The Crabbie’s Supporting The Hillsborough Families Fox Hunters’ Chase.
The Aintree track itself also marked the anniversary by showing support to the Hillsborough ‘96 campaign and initiatives across the week. These included a 20ft floral display that read “Aintree Supports Hillsborough 96” right at the racecourse’s entrance, along with support for the campaign via the track’s big screen and media channels.
A minute’s applause for the Hillsborough victims and campaigners will also be held before the first race on Grand National day (Saturday).
John Baker, Aintree and North West regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “We are delighted to show our support for the Hillsborough families at the 2014 Crabbie’s Grand National.
“It’s a hugely important part of the history of Liverpool and the Grand National is an important part of Liverpool history too. So, with the 25th anniversary approaching, we felt it was appropriate to mark it at the festival and show our solidarity.”
Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said: “It is very humbling that Aintree Racecourse and the Crabbie’s Grand National are showing their support for the Hillsborough families.
“This month marks the 25th anniversary since the Hillsborough tragedy and all the time we are striving for justice. The Crabbie’s Grand National festival is a fantastic global sporting event on our doorstep in Merseyside and I’m sure their support will help us in achieving our goal.”
Friday’s Topham Chase, also over the National fences, was run as the The Crabbie’s Supporting Everton in the Community Topham Steeple Chase.
The three-day Crabbie’s Grand National meeting concludes this afternoon – culminating with the titular race. Teaforthree is currently the favourite to take out the race at Titan Bet (Free £35) with odds of 8-1. He is followed by: 12-1 Long Run and Monbeg Dude, 14-1 Tidal Bay, 20-1 Burton Port, Double Seven, Pineau De Re, Prince De Beauchene, Rocky Creek, and Triolo D’Arlene.
The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race. First run officially in 1839, it is a handicap steeplechase over 7,141m with horses jumping 30 fences over two circuits. The Grand National is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £975,000 in 2013.
The course over which the race is run – the National Course – is uniquely challenging, featuring much larger fences than those found on conventional National Hunt tracks. Many of these fences, including Becher’s Brook, The Chair and the Canal Turn have become famous in their own right. These, combined with the extreme distance of the event, create what has been called ‘the ultimate test of horse and rider’.
Don’t forget to check out the race this afternoon, and place your bets at Titan Bet (Free £35)!
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