

2020 Grand National cancelled





The Randox Health Grand National, scheduled for Saturday, April 4th, has been cancelled.





As a result of the Coronavirus outbreak, Aintree Racecourse announced the news on Monday night via owners Jockey Club Racecourses.





The announcement that the three-day Grand National Festival, which was scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 2nd, came shortly after new government measures to deal with coronavirus were announced.





Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people in the United Kingdom to "avoid non-essential travel and social contact," essentially ending Aintree's plans to stage the world's most famous horse race behind closed doors.





Earlier on Monday it was confirmed that racing in Britain would continue behind closed doors from Tuesday until at least the end of March.





A statement from Aintree Racecourse on Monday night read: "The Jockey Club has announced that The Randox Health Grand National Festival will not take place between Thursday 2nd and Saturday 4th April this year.





"Following the Government’s new public health guidance regarding avoiding social contact and stopping non-essential travel, and its statement that emergency services are withdrawn from supporting mass gatherings from tomorrow, the Jockey Club has decided that it is no longer appropriate to stage the event."





Sandy Dudgeon, Senior Steward of The Jockey Club, added: “The Randox Health Grand National Festival was just three weeks away and it’s very clear to us it will not be possible for the event to take place. Public health must come first.





“We were working on a plan to stage the Grand National behind closed doors given its importance to the racing industry and beyond, but following the new Government measures confirmed this evening to help to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, this is not a viable option.





“I know this is hugely disappointing news for the many people who work in our sport and the many millions who were looking forward to this year’s event, but very sadly these are exceptional times and this is the responsible thing to do.”