the Grand National
/ðə ˌɡrænd ˈnæʃnəl/
/ðə ˌɡrænd ˈnæʃnəl/
(also also informal the National)
- the most famous and important horse race in Britain, first run in 1839. It is a very long race, with many high fences for the horses to jump over, and it takes place every year in March or April at Aintree, near Liverpool. Many British people bet on the Grand National, even if they do not usually put money on horse races.