Aintree’s Randox Grand National Festival dominates April’s racing action but it is complimented by Scotland’s top jumps fixture and the glittering end-of-season celebrations.
There also more than 20 family race days to enjoy over Easter and beyond.
Here’s a look at all the Premier Racing fixtures and family days in April.
Premier Racedays
Aintree
Day One, Thursday 9 April
The Randox Grand National Festival kicks off with three Grade 1 races on the opening day.
The top staying chasers will line-up in the Racing Welfare Bowl, while the cream of the country’s hurdlers will be on show in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.
The William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase completes the trio of top-level contests and the amateur jockeys get their chance to race over the iconic National fences in the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase.
Aintree
Day Two, Friday 10 April
The ladies of Liverpool always make sure the second day of the meeting has its own unique style and there will be plenty of top-quality racing to enjoy on the track.
The JCB Melling Chase is the big race on Ladies’ Day when Jonbon is likely to attempt a hat-trick of wins in the Grade 1 prize.
Three top-class novice races make for a stellar supporting cast and the Randox Topham Chase is always a great spectacle over the National fences.
Aintree
Day Three (Randox Health Grand National Day), Saturday 11 April
Randox Grand National Day is one of the greatest events in sport.
Millions of people from all corners of the globe will tune in to watch one of racing’s most thrilling contests around the world-famous course.
Willie Mullins saddled the first three home in last year’s race and the Champion Trainer will again hold an extremely strong hand as he attempts to win the National for a record-equalling fourth time.
The Liverpool Hurdle for the stayers is one of three Grade 1 races on the undercard.
Ayr
Coral Scottish Grand National Day, Saturday 18 April
The Coral Scottish Grand National tops the bill on Scotland’s biggest jumps card.
It’s always a hugely-competitive chase, run over four miles, and has been won by horses trained in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England within the last seven years.
The Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle is one of the supporting races, as thousands of racing fans flock to the west coast course for one of the country’s most popular sporting and social events.
Sandown Park
Bet365 Jump Finale, Saturday 25 April
The National Hunt season comes to a close with it’s annual celebrations at Sandown’s Bet365 Jump Finale.
The historic Bet365 Gold Cup – first run in 1957 – is the day’s main event. It is supported by the Grade 1 Bet365 Celebration Chase, which was won by subsequent Champion Chase hero Il Etait Temps 12 months ago.
The season’s Champion Jockey, Owner, Trainer, Conditional rider and Horse of the Year will all be officially crowned during the celebrations.
Family Racedays
Newcastle
Friday 3 April
There is some superb racing on offer as the track hosts the All-Weather Championship Finals but there’s also plenty to entertain younger guests. The culmination of the winter’s all-weather season will be complimented by circus workshops, magic shows, Easter treasure hunts, funfair rides, inflatable zone and ponies. Most of the kids’ entertainment is completely free.
Carlisle
Saturday 4 April
There will be fun for all the family to go along with a competitive day of jumps racing. Among the entertainment will be crazy golf, a magician, juggler, stilt walkers, Easter-themed crafts, children’s races and a chance to meet the jockeys.
Plumpton
Sunday 5 April
The two-day BetGoodwin Easter Festival kicks off Plumpton’s biggest weekend of the season in style. The Sussex Champion Hurdle tops the bill on the track and there’s a whole host of entertainment off it, including zorb balls, face painting, wall trampolines and donkey rides.
Fakenham
Monday 6 April
Easter wouldn’t be the same without chocolate and there’s plenty of sweet treats being given away to kids on Fakenham’s Easter Monday jumps cards. There will also be Shetland pony racing and rides for youngsters.
Wincanton
Sunday 12 April
The popular WinOlympics Raceday returns with sports-themed activities for all the family. Classic games, friendly competitions and have-a-go challenges will fill the gaps between races on the track’s jumps card.
Newton Abbot
Tuesday 14 April
Blaze – the track’s friendly mascot – will be helping host the jumps track’s Family Funday. The afternoon is certain to be hugely-enjoyable with inflatables, hook a duck and facepainting among the activities to entertain the younger visitors.
Plumpton
Sunday 19 April
The track’s Sussex Raceday celebrates everything that is great about the southern county. As well as a competitive card of jumps racing, there will be Morris dancers, the annual charity mascot race and local produce to tickle the tastebuds.
Wetherby
Sunday 26 April
The Yorkshire track’s famous Mascot Gold Cup is one of the big attractions on its Family Raceday. The National Festival Circus will also be on course to entertain visitors of all ages and there will be horseracing-themed activities during the day, as well as great racing on the track.
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