Folks, A bit of advice needed I am attending the aintree grand national meeting in April for the first time friday and saturday. I went to buy tickets this morning but noticed there is a multitude of different stands / tickets {more than most courses it seems}. Any suggestion as to the best place to buy a ticket for in terms of value for money; watching the races; facilities and general craic. Thanks in advance lads.
Hi mate I go every year mate an 3-4 years back the Tatts were sound but can't do it anymore now just too busy down there. To be fair you could probably get away with them on the friday just but the Saturday forget about it you have to be in a stand as you're just queuing to go to another queue if that makes sense. In terms of stands mate I can't fault the Princess Royal roof or the Lord Dawesbury roof. Pricy like as its 85 on a friday an I think over a ton for the Saturday but you have the brst view of the racijg right above the winning post, bars are sound, you're not gonna be waiting half an hour for a bevvy but the atmosphere is still spot on. Wherever you go though to be fair you will have a cracker of a weekend as long as you're not in the Tatts on the Saturday ha.
I've never been on Grand National day but have been numerous times on the Thurs/Fri. The Queen Mother stand is excellent as you get an elevated view right above the finishing line. You can move easily between paddock, bars and bookies as so many folk are just there to get pissed. People watching (well increasingly lashed up lasses in fake tans and I'll fitting frocks watching is also good from this elevated position! If you get there a few hours before the first race you can walk the National course. It's a great day out, enjoy.
I can only echo what Chan has said about the Queen Mother stand - absolutely magnificent views from the terrace outside and a dedicated bar and tote windows. I've been a few times on the Thursday and it is a first class racing experience Also as Chan says, try and get there early and walk the National course - great to get so close to a bit of racing history. I got my photo taken on the landing side of Bechers, I stand 6ft 3in and couldn't see over the fence from the landing side.
Echo all that. have been Fri/Sat several times and the views from those stands are superb. Different atmosphere to Cheltenham but just as enjoyable.
Not been to Aintree but my advice when going racing is always the same, it depends on what you want from your day. The lads already noted how busy Tatts will be and the best viewings seem to be the rooftops, but do you want to mingle with the minions or do you want something more special. If I was going I'd be following the advice above about the terraces, but also perhaps tatts for the Friday as a different type of day out.
I was there on GN day a good few years back on a stag do and there was 12 of us, all went Tatts. There's a huge area to watch from all the way up to and past the Chair so even with a mad busy crowd we had no problems viewing and that. Even the parade paddock wasn't 10 or 12 deep like you'd find at Cheltenham or Leopardstown, as it's very much a 'casual' crowd you'd find. A few of us did blag our way into the QM stand during the second half of the meeting, security ain't that tight after the feature race! Best advise I'd say is get your taxi booked the evening before and set off in real good time, aim to be there for 10.30 and you'll be in at 11.30 sort of thing with the traffic heading in. The Friday should be lot easier from that point of view I'd assume.
Never been on a Saturday. Always went on Friday till about 6 years ago. Now only go on a Thursday as it is great racing and not so many people. You can see the races from any point and get a drink in any bar.
Been once never again the place is a **** hole with a big fence round the track. You couldn't see f#ck all and I saw the gold cup winner die right in front of me, so never again.
I am also making my maiden voyage to the GN. I am in the Steeplechase enclosure. What is that like lads?
Not been in there but I think that's the stand down past the start near the first few fences of the national course. It's a long way from the action if that's the case STH. Wouldn't have thought you'd see much of the rest of the card. Having said that there must be big screens around otherwise nobody would go there.
Just reading about it and it seems they have put in an area to view the rest of the card. Supposed to be good for the GN itself but average thereafter. The booking was out of my hands so I may go with the flow. We'll make the most of it regardless.
If it's anything like the Silver Stand at Royal Ascot, it's a rip off. Wouldn't ever do it again. Full of people drinking and socialising, not interested in the racing, can't see much of the racing except on the large screens; might as well have a picnic in your own garden and watch on TV. I am referring to Royal Ascot SIlver Ring, not Aintree as I've never been there. Wherever you are at Aintree I hope you (all) have a great time.
