Aintree Randox Grand National will not change date despite bookmaker interests

Jockey Club Racecourses announced that the 2021 Randox Grand National would be going ahead on April 8-10.

The Aintree event will miss the window of lockdown restrictions being removed.

Boris Johnson’s plan has April 12 as the first day with reduced national restrictions.

It means non-essential retail is due to open up on that Monday, including bookmakers.

Online betting is the only way the biggest horse racing event of the year can be wagered on.

There could be a loss in profit through levy income.

It was settled the Grand National is too soon in the future to change the date of the event.

Jockey Club’s north west regional director, Dickon White said: “Since the Prime Minister’s announcement, we’ve consulted with various stakeholders and weighed up the pros and cons of attempting to delay the Randox Grand National Festival to a time when the country may have moved into ‘Step Two’ of lockdown restrictions lifting.

“This has been a really difficult time for the retail and on-course betting industry and we very much hope that retail outlets will re-open on Monday 12th April, but like so much in this pandemic, this is far from certain at this stage.

“The Prime Minister has been clear that timings for lifting restrictions in England are best case and not guaranteed, while already we know outlets will not be open in Scotland.

“With timings fluid and several downsides of delay as well as some upsides that may or may not happen, there is not a solid enough basis to move one of the biggest racing fixtures in the calendar just six weeks out.

“Therefore, the three-day meeting will remain in its planned Thursday 8th to Saturday 10th April slot.”

Click for full Dickon White statement