If you want to experience a slice of England, then a day at the races has to be top of the agenda. With prestigious names such as Newmarket, Aintree and Ascot right here in the UK, it would be a shame to miss events that form part of our heritage. It doesn't matter if horse racing isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of events that attract the attention of the general public, and cater for those that don't yet know their way with race course etiquette. The Grand National is steeped in English tradition, and has had bouts of controversy and glory and it has been immortalised in celluloid in the film National Velvet starring Elizabeth Taylor. The annual race attracts a wide audience, many of whom would not ordinarily watch horse racing or place a bet on a sporting event. The race is held at the world famous Aintree racecourse over three days and is considered one of the most important events in the sporting calendar. The Grand National meeting is a type of race known as National Hunt racing , whereby the track is a turfed course with the addition of artificial obstacles such as fences and ditches. This was traditionally known as a steeplechase in Ireland, based on the fact that the course of a race would be dictated by church steeples, but the term has fallen out of favour both in Ireland and the UK, but is still used to some extent in Europe and the United States. The other form of horse racing is known as Flat racing, where the race is conducted on a flat track of a set distance measured in furlongs. There are no obstacles such as hedges or hurdles, but the surface can be made of an artificial all weather turf, grass turf, or simply a dirt track. These types of meetings are the most common, and therefore ironically the term Flat Racing is rarely used. National Hunt meetings generate excitement in sporting circles as they are rarer than flat races. The Grand National in particular, due to the challenging course, attracts the attention of the nation and gains widespread media coverage. It is also one of the biggest events on the betting calendar, putting the Liverpool racecourse well and truly on the sporting map. It is not just the racing that gains the attention from the media. Every year, the event known as Ladies Day is featured in the news and in the pages of tabloids and broadsheets alike. There is even coverage in glossy magazines such as OK and Hello. It is traditional for ladies to wear incredibly formal and elegant couture from the top designers in Paris, London, New York and Milan. This is a chance for members of the public to mix with the gentry and celebrities. The prestigious reputation of this race at the Aintree course has seen the introduction of hospitality packages for the weekend. To fully appreciate the atmosphere at such an opulent occasion, there is a champagne reception with a complementary bar and specialist arrangements for secluded VIP areas. This is a far cry from the races humble beginnings back in the early 1800s. These packages give the spectator a chance to watch the race in luxury and comfort and hopefully catch some of the finest moments in racing history.
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