The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. First run officially in 1839, it is a handicap steeplechase over 4 miles 3½ furlongs (7,141 m) with horses jumping 30 fences over two circuits. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million in 2014.The course over which the race is run – Aintree's National Course – is uniquely challenging, featuring much larger fences than those found on conventional National Hunt tracks. Many of these fences, including Becher's Brook, The Chair and the Canal Turn, have become famous in their own right. These, combined with the distance of the event, create what has been called "the ultimate test of horse and rider".The Grand National has been broadcast live on free-to-air terrestrial television in the United Kingdom since 1960. From then until 2012 it was broadcast by the BBC. Since 2013 it has been shown by Channel 4, which has the UK broadcasting rights until 2016. An estimated 500 to 600 million people watch the Grand National in over 140 countries. It has also been broadcast on radio since 1927; BBC Radio held the exclusive radio rights until 2013, however, Talksport also now hold radio commentary rights. The race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year.The next Grand National will be held on 11 April 2015. The most recent, in 2014, was won by Pineau de Re, ridden by jockey Leighton Aspell for trainer Richard Newland.
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