RACING: Aintree Racecourse has announced the 2009 renewal of the John Smith's Grand National will be worth a record £900,000, an increase of £100,000 on the 2008 value.
This is the second consecutive year that the value of the John Smith's Grand National has increased by £100,000.
Julian Thick, Managing Director at Aintree, commented: "Aintree is proud to be able to increase the prize money for the John Smith's Grand National to £900,000.
"The generous support of John Smith's has made this possible and since their sponsorship started in 2005 the value of the John Smith's Grand National has risen from £600,000 to £900,000."
The most famous steeplechase in racing is run over four and a half miles and 30 gruelling fences and will take place at 4.15pm on Saturday, April 4th, 2009.