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Hi Guys,
For Xmas my girlfriend got me tickets for the National.
As I’ve never been I was just wondering what to expect?
Thanx in advance, Jonny.
When she boots you in to touch, send her my way there’s a good chap. My type of girl!
Lucky thing, I have to buy my own
As to what to expect, lots of people and ladies in little summer dresses shivering in the hailstones. Tho’ 2007 was an exception….
Serious answer is depends slightly on the tickets. Tatts tickets you can either see the horses in the paddock or find a spot to see (bits of) the race. Seats you can do both (even the West Tip seats which are a fair walk from the paddock, although I only bothered with them for the National it) – although the viewing isn’t brilliant from anywhere low down at Aintree. Never had roof tickets so can’t comment on them.
We use the park and ride at Kirkby which works OK – although we got away right at the front of the melee and then ran for it this year after they closed the course crossing. Trains are usually pretty good as well.
Get there early to walk the course, you can do all but the last 4 fences. You can’t get to the fences any more but we pose by Bechers for a photo every year. I have stayed late in the past and walked the course again after racing. Stood on Bechers and jumped off – it’s a long way down
Expect a lot of scally scousers only there for the beer and really bad very orange fake tans
Incidentally did anyone hear McCririck the other day he must have been at Aintree or Haydock, I wasn’t watching but had the tv on and heard him say something along the lines of ‘typical Merseyside behaviour here just what you expect which gives Liverpool a bad name’
I guess some of the crowd were winding him up or acting the fool on camera for channel 4..
I went last year for the first time and really enjoyed it. As I was driving from Northamptonshire my friend and I booked in advance to stay at the Park Hotel which is the nearest to the racecourse (about a 10 minute walk away) which was handy as we drove there on the morning of the race and were then able to leave our car there for the day whilst we were at the races and then return for our evening meal and bed and breakfast.
I would agree with Flakey and say its a good idea to get there early so you can walk the course and also visit Red Rums grave. It does get very crowded later as you can imagine so you are probably best to get a good spot to watch the races early too although they have plenty of big screens around. Most people seemed to get really dressed up for the day.
All in all it was a great day out and I would love to go again soon.I live only a few miles away and haven’t been for 3-4 years. Used to love going, but it became almost intolerable, couldn’t move, couldn’t get a drink, use the toilets, too many people not knowing a horse from a Billy goat. I’d now only go if it was in a box paid for,(no I’m not a snob) Yeah, some of the girls are, er well, you know, in a state of undress, and that is before the first race. Unfortunately you get the munters wearing very little, euch!!
You’ve gotta go at least once though….
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