Thousands attending Midlands Grand National

Last year, 9,600 people attended the Midlands Grand National

Thousands of people are at Uttoxeter Racecourse for the annual Midlands Grand National.

At four miles and two furlongs the race, which has a prize fund of £160,000, is the second-longest in the National Hunt calendar, second only to the Grand National at Aintree, the racecourse said.

Last year, 9,600 visitors attended the event, a 13% rise on 2023.

Brian Barrass, executive director of the racecourse, said he expected a "bumper crowd of 10,000" for the seven races, the first of which got under way at 13:50 GMT.

In all, the day features a seven-race card with record total prize money of £386,500.

Twenty-two horses are entered in the Jenningsbet Midlands Grand Nationa.l

Last year's race was won by Beauport, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by Jordan Nailor.

Beauport, ridden by Jordan Nailor, won the 2024 Midlands Grand National

Uttoxeter has been home to the race for more than 50 years, and it has been held on the Saturday immediately after the Cheltenham Festival since 1969.

In addition to the racing, there will be a line-up of entertainment throughout the day, including live music and the screening of the Six Nations rugby matches during and after the racing, Mr Barrass said.

Adding that the event was nearly sold out, he said: "The racecourse team have been working exceptionally hard over the last few months to ensure the day is a great success."

This year, the Midlands Grand National has a prize fund of £160,000