Our event highlight of April? The Grand National Festival!

Here’s a wrap-up of another successful year in our flagship facility, Silks.

We hosted 486 clients across the 3-day festival, who enjoyed 1458 delicious dishes and a spectacular 972 scones. 1 birthday celebration was held for our sales director, Stu, a very fitting backdrop for a big horse racing enthusiast. Matt Chapman treated our guests to 3 yeehaaaas and the racing delivered with 6 wins for Dan Skelton and a second Grand National win for I Am Maximums! An exciting 3 days of racing enjoyed from 1 incredible facility.

Away from the hospitality and celebrations, the racing across the three days more than lived up to the occasion. From standout Grade 1 performances to big-priced surprises and memorable moments over the famous fences, each day told its own story on track. Here’s how the action unfolded across the festival at Aintree.

Opening Day

Day One of the Grand National Festival lived up to its reputation as the day for racing purists, with a strong card headlined by the William Hill Aintree Hurdle and plenty of drama throughout.

The feature delivered, as Brighterdaysahead got the better of rival The New Lion in a high-quality clash. Harry Skelton looked to be closing in, but a mistake at the final hurdle proved costly, allowing Jack Kennedy to power clear and secure a second Grade 1 win of the day.

Earlier on the card, Kennedy had already struck aboard Mange Tout in the Boodles Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle, while Koktail Divin took advantage of the favourite Lulamba unseating to land the Manifesto Novices’ Chase for Henry de Bromhead. The Bowl Chase provided another major moment, with Jango Baie staying on strongly to win after a late fall from Impaire Et Passe opened the door.

Elsewhere, Barton Snow justified being the market favourite in the Foxhunters’, continuing a fine run for trainer Joe O’Shea, as Aintree delivered an eventful opening day that set the tone for the rest of the festival.

Ladies Day

Friday at Aintree delivered another strong mix of quality racing, shocks and competitive handicaps.

Wellington Arch set the tone early, becoming the first repeat winner of the William Hill Handicap Hurdle as Jonjo O’Neill Jr guided the 6/1 chance to a well-backed success. There was a big upset in the Top Novices’ Hurdle, where outsider Storming George came from off the pace to deny the odds-on Sober Glory, giving trainer Neil King a landmark Grade 1 victory.

The Melling Chase proved one of the races of the meeting, with Grey Dawning producing a strong late run to reel in Solness and land the prize for Dan Skelton, who has since became Champion Trainer, after the favourite Heart Wood fell out of contention.

Over the famous fences, Will The Wise delivered a superb round of jumping to win the Topham, handing Conor Stone-Walsh a memorable first winner at the festival.

Grand National Day

I Am Maximus won the 2026 Grand National with a performance that will be talked about for generations to come, becoming the first horse since Red Rum to regain the race after his 2024 success. Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, the 9/2 favourite was never far from the pace, settled in mid-division and jumping cleanly while others forced it up front.

Townend kept things simple early on, allowing the race to come back to him as the leaders began to tire. Moving into contention without being asked for a big effort, I Am Maximus travelled strongly into the straight before staying on through the final half-mile. He took it up late and pulled clear, with Iroko finishing second and Jordans, who led throughout, in third.

Now a two-time winner from three runs at Aintree, he heads into 2027 with the chance to do something truly special and chase a third Grand National victory.

Get your tickets for the Grand National Festival 2027 early!

Have any questions or special requirements? Call us on 0121 233 6500 or fill in the form below, and one of our dedicated horse racing hospitality specialists will be happy to help!