BIG
HURDLE SWITCH TO AUGMENT OPENING DAY
Total prize money for the
2013 John Smith's Grand National meeting at Aintree sets a new record at
£2,725,000, which represents an increase of £185,000 (+7.3 per cent) for the
three days over 2012.
Thirteen of the 21 races
at the meeting from Thursday to Saturday, April 4-6, have boosted prize money.
The John Smith's Grand
National is worth £975,000 again, with an estimated purse to the winner of
nearly £550,000 and prize money down to 10th place. It is the richest British
jump race by far and has risen in value from £600,000 under John Smith's
sponsorship.
In line with the Jockey
Club Racecourses' prize money pledge, Aintree's total prize money for 2013 has
increased to £3,386,500 (from £3,106,000), with new funds injected throughout
the year for Aintree's five other racedays as well the John Smith's Grand
National meeting.
AINTREE
HURDLE SWITCHES TO THURSDAY
Nicky Henderson has made
no secret that his high-class hurdler Oscar Whisky's prime target this season
is a repeat win in the Grade One John Smith's Aintree Hurdle over two and a
half miles, in which Monksfield, Dawn Run, Morley Street, Aonoch, Istabraq and
Al Eile have also been successful.
Oscar Whisky will be
racing two days earlier this year as the John Smith's Aintree Hurdle has been switched
to first day of the meeting on Thursday, April 4 and the prize fund raised by
£40,000 to a record £200,000.
The Grade One three-mile
John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle (£120,000 - an increase of £20,000) will move
from being the opening race at the meeting to the third race on the Saturday.
"We are confident
that this switch will greatly strengthen Thursday's card and thereby provide a
big additional star attraction on the opening day," said Aintree's Clerk
of the Course Andrew Tulloch.
"It is a formidable
day's racing with the Grade One Betfred Bowl, the Grade One Matalan
Anniversary 4-Year-Old Hurdle and the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase over the
Grand National fences also on the Thursday card.
"Prize money for the
Thursday is £695,000, up £130,000 on last year, and we are putting a lot of
effort into increasing the attendance towards the very high levels seen on the
other two days."
JOHN
SMITH'S MELLING CHASE BOOSTED TO £200,000
As always, Friday's
Ladies' Day highlight is the Grade One John Smith's Melling Chase, which enjoys
increased prize money of £200,000, up £25,000 on 2012.
This race, run over two
and a half miles of the Mildmay course, attracts the very best horses at
the trip, with Moscow Flyer, Monet's Garden, Voy Por Ustedes and Master Minded
among the greats on the roll of honour.
Another major attraction
on the Friday is the John Smith's Topham Chase over the Grand National fences.
The Topham's prize money jumps from £100,000 to £120,000 and total prize money for
the day totals £635,000 (£565,000 in 2012).
Jockey Club Racecourses'
Regional Director John Baker commented: "Aintree and John Smith's felt it
was important to increase prize money across the board during the three days of
the 2013 John Smith's Grand National meeting.
"The John Smith's
Melling Chase and the John Smith's Topham Chase are prime examples of this
policy and 13 of the 21 races enjoy higher prize money this year."
JOHN
SMITH'S GRAND NATIONAL - CLOSING DATE
The closing date for
entries to the 2013 John Smith's Grand National is noon on Tuesday, January 29,
with the eagerly-anticipated handicap weights due to be unveiled on Tuesday,
February 12. The two scratchings' stages are on February 26 and March 19.
There are no changes to
the race conditions, with a rating of 120 a minimum requirement for the horses
and riders must have won 15 or more times in chases and hurdles, with at least
10 of those successes being over fences.
Total prize money for the
Saturday, John Smith's Grand National Day, is £1,395,000.
Baker reports excellent
advance sales, both of corporate facilities and raceday tickets.
He said: "Things have
moved really fast since mid-December. We have experienced a real surge in
demand for both corporate facilities and admission tickets.
"Now is the time to
secure a place in the premier enclosures so please ring 0844 579 3001 (tickets)
or 0151 522 2911 (hospitality) or visit our web site, www.aintree.co.uk ."
A full prize money
schedule, including the interim order of running, for the 2013 John Smith's
Grand National meeting can by found by clicking
here.
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