SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Officials of Aintree Race Course have confirmed that the 2016 ‘Crabbies Grand National’ will be run at 17:15 UK Time – 9 April.
The one hour push back will aim to help TV scheduling for the race during a busy UK sporting weekend.
Having examined 2015’s Grand National audience figures, Aintree officials and UK broadcaster Channel 4 decided to push back the start of the race to 17:15 with the aim of maximising viewer interest.
John Baker, Regional Director of the Jockey Club North West, commented on the decision
“This is a very positive move for the Crabbie’s Grand National and we’re excited about the possibility of showcasing the greatest chase in the world to a wider national and global audience.
“The Crabbie’s Grand National is in a great place and we’re already delighted to be Channel 4’s biggest audience of the year at 8.9m viewers, which is a fantastic figure, but any increase is also good for the sport.
“We’re always keen to explore ways to grow and enhance this superb three-day Festival and we believe that in collaboration with our broadcast partner, Channel 4, and with the backing of the BHA, this is another extremely positive step forward for the ‘People’s Race’.”
The change means a handicap hurdle for conditional and amateur jockeys will now be the only race which will follow the Grand National while in previous years there has also been a bumper at the end of the card.
