Grand National at Aintree Racecourse cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic

The Grand National has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The race meeting was due to take place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool on April 4.

The Jockey Club said "it is no longer appropriate to stage the event" after the UK government advised against mass gatherings.

The world famous steeplechase attracts a worldwide audience of about 500 million people.

Organisers of the Grand National say Aintree Racecourse operates a full refund policy in the event of any raceday not taking place.

Yesterday (March 16), the government announced that "drastic action" needed to be taken against coronavirus because research which informed the decision suggested that unless more stringent measures were taken, Covid-19 could lead to up to 250,000 deaths.

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