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Author: Andrew Morgan

Looking ahead to Royal Ascot 2024

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

The flat racing season is up and running and with less than two months until Royal Ascot, the anticipation is building. The best horses and jockeys from across the planet are set to go head-to-head in a festival packed full of world class racing.

If you’re joining us in our hospitality areas and are thinking about putting on an early bet or two, we’ve got you covered – here are the early favourites for all the key races at Royal Ascot 2024.

When is Royal Ascot?

It’s almost time for the classiest horse racing festival of the calendar. Royal Ascot gets underway on Tuesday 18th June, with punters dressing to impress while hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal family.

With five days of spectacular horse racing action to look forward to, you can enjoy it in style with our exclusive hospitality packages.

Day 1 – Tuesday 18th June
Day 2 – Wednesday 19th June
Day 3 – Thursday 20th June
Day 4 – Friday 21st June
Day 5 – Saturday 22nd June

Who are the favourites for the big races?

Queen Anne Stakes

The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 race and traditionally gets the festival underway. Triple Time rode to glory last summer but don’t expect that to happen again – there hasn’t been a repeat winner in this particular contest since Dean Swift completed a double in 1907.

The early favourite is Big Rock, who has been ridden by Aurelien Lemaitre in each of his last eight races. He’s yet to run this year but he came out on top in his debut Ascot appearance last October, triumphing in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Elsewhere, a Frankie Dettori favourite could do well. Frankel sire Inspiral has been paired with the legendary jockey for all but one of her career races. She’s won her last three, which included beating Big Rock by 1 ¼ lengths at Deauville last August.

Prince of Wales’s Stakes

With £1,000,000 in prize money, the Prince of Wales’s Stake is the most valuable race of the festival. The winning slice last year went to the team of Mostahdaf, who raced home first thanks to the guidance of Jim Crowley.

King of Steel leads the early betting after impressing as he won the 2023 Champion Stakes in Dettori’s triumphant final race on UK soil. Despite King of Steel’s pedigree, he came fifth in his final race of last year, with fellow Prince of Wales contender Auguste Rodin taking the glory.

In fact, Auguste Rodin has come out on top on four separate occasions when facing King of Steel. All eyes will be on their battle as they continue their competitive rivalry at Ascot. Elsewhere, Al Riffa is set to make his UK debut in the race, having come fourth in his season opener last weekend.

Ascot Gold Cup

One of the most iconic races in world horse racing returns to Ascot this year, and with it so does a former champion. Courage Mon Ami raced to glory a year ago and is looking to do so again this time around.

The last repeat winner of the Gold Cup was Stradivarius, who completed three in a row back in 2020. Like Stradivarius, Courage Mon Ami was ridden to glory by Dettori. But with the Italian now enjoying life across the pond, the John and Thady Gosden star will have a new rider.

Courage Mon Ami last ran at York back in August and is likely to come up against stablemate Gregory at Ascot, who won the Queen’s Vase at the festival in 2023 before coming third in the St Leger at Doncaster.

While there’s a long way to go before the race, the current market favourite is Kyprios, who won the Gold Cup in 2022. He made a winning return at Queenstown last weekend and is expected to go well this year.

Kyprios only raced twice in 2023 but enjoyed great success the year before. He won all six of his races with Ryan Moore, including the Ascot Gold Cup, as well the Goodwood Cup, where he saw off the challenge of four-time winner Stradivarius.

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

Khaadem stole the spoils in this race last time out. Looking to claim the crown for the first time is Chain of Lightning, who leads the betting having won two of her four outings so far this year.

Dettori rode Kinross to seventh in this contest last year, having come eighth in 2022. The gelding will be looking to challenge this time and may see his fortunes change under new stewardship.

Meanwhile, Art Power will also be competing in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. He won the British Champions Sprint Stakes last time out, edging rival Kinross by a neck – he’ll be looking to continue his fine form here.

Horse Racing Hospitality

The 2024 Formula One season so far

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

The Formula One season is well and truly underway and not much has changed since last year, with superstar Max Verstappen trouncing the opposition once again. He’s won every race he’s finished so far and has left his rivals with a lot of work to do to stop him.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s final season for Mercedes hasn’t started as he would have liked. Can he turn things around? Here’s everything you need to know so far from the opening five races of the 2024 F1 season.

F1 standings after five races

PositionDriverTeamWinsPodiumsPoints
1Max VerstappenRed Bull44110
2Sergio PerezRed Bull0485
3Charles LeclercFerrari0276
4Carlos Sainz JrFerrari1369
5Lando NorrisMcLaren0258

After sweeping all before him last year, Verstappen has a fourth consecutive championship in his sights. The Red Bull driver has picked up where he left off, starting every race in pole position and winning four of the opening five contests.

The Belgian-born superstar started in style in Bahrain, winning by 22 seconds and claiming the fastest lap. Stablemate Perez followed up in second while Sainz Jr completed the podium.

Verstappen then won the second race in Saudi Arabia but couldn’t make it three in a row as he was forced to retire in Australia, allowing Sainz Jr to claim his first win of the season. Having reported brake issues after just two laps, Verstappen managed one more lap before a brake failure saw him drop out of the race.

Lewis Hamilton also finished early, dropping out after 15 laps due to a power issue. Leclerc came second in the grand prix down under, while British driver Norris raced home in third.

Not one to let a disappointment affect his next outing, Verstappen bounced back as the championship headed to Asia. He came out on top in both Japan and China to claim four of the opening five races.

Can anyone stop Verstappen?

So, after five races, Verstappen is sitting pretty at the top of the pile, 25 points clear of Perez in second. There’s still a long way to go, with another 19 races scheduled, but at the moment it looks like nobody is going to stop him.

He won the title in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and is on the hunt for his fourth on the trot. Last year, Verstappen won 19 of the 22 races and his strong start to the 2024 season means he’s now won 32 of the last 38. He’ll be looking to continue his fine form as the championship goes to Miami this weekend.

Trio of drivers in Verstappen’s rearview mirror

While Verstappen has got a good head start, there are three drivers in particular that will still very much fancy their chances of toppling him. Sainz Jr won in Australia and has also claimed two other podium spots so far.

The Spaniard sits in fourth at the moment but his performance down under shows he’s got the quality to capitalise when needed. He’s targeting his first F1 title and looking to beat his best ever finish of fifth.

Perez currently sits in second with four podiums so far, including a hat-trick of second-place finishes. He knows Red Bull teammate Verstappen well and will be aware of any of his weaknesses (if he even has any!).

He finished second in the standings last year, winning two of the opening four races, and he’ll be desperate to go one better this time around.

Finally, Leclerc finished fifth last year and currently finds himself third, sandwiched between Perez and Sainz Jr. He came second back in 2022 and is also targeting a maiden title – the Ferrari man is yet to finish lower down than fourth in a Grand Prix this season.

Hamilton outshone by British rivals

Hamilton is targeting a record eighth Formula One title and has previously said he won’t call it a day until he edges past Michael Schumacher in the all-time standings. Yet based on his start to the 2024 season, he may have to wait another year.

He’s in his final year with Mercedes, having agreed to join Ferrari for the 2025 season, but his hopes of a sixth title while representing them are quickly fading. Hamilton was forced to retire in Australia and in the other four races, his best finish was seventh in the opener in Bahrain.

The 39-year-old has finished ninth in each of the other three and has been outshone by his rival drivers from the UK. He currently sits below both Norris and Russell in the standings, who have beaten him in every grand prix so far. Once the shining light of British racing, Hamilton has a lot to do if he wants to turn things around this season.

Everything you need to know about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

If you’re a fan of beautiful gardens, stunning flower displays and vibrant events with a relaxed atmosphere, we’ve got some good news – it’s almost time for the Chelsea Flower Show!

The iconic event put on by the Royal Horticultural Society is a British tradition and ahead of the five-day celebration, here’s everything you need to know.

What is the Chelsea Flower Show?

Simply put, the Chelsea Flower Show is a celebration of all things horticulture, offering the best flower and gardening displays the world has to offer. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a flower expert, a budding gardener, or you simply just enjoy strolling through beautiful nature displays.

One of the most prestigious events in British culture, the Chelsea Flower Show was first held more than 100 years ago way back in 1912. It had previously been known as the Great Spring Show, starting out in Kensington 1862 before moving to the Temple Gardens.

Since the move to Chelsea, it’s established itself as a staple in the calendar for all gardening and flower enthusiasts, with the royal family among the show’s admirers. Royal members regularly attend the event, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, who last visited two years ago.

The Chelsea Flower show attracts more than 157,000 visitors every single year as enthusiastic attendees travel from all over the country. While the first two days are strictly for RHS members, the remainder of the event is open to anybody.

When is the Chelsea Flower Show?

The prettiest event of the year takes place over five days and truly marks the end of spring. The Chelsea Flower Show gets underway on Tuesday 21st May and comes to a close on Saturday 25th May.

Gardeners from all over the world will present their displays in a number of different categories. Judges will cast their eyes over the offerings, awarding their favourites with gold, silver gilt, silver and bronze medals.

As well as these winners, there will also be plenty of special awards handed out across the week. Visitors can enjoy a number of different areas throughout the show, with the main attraction being the Floral Marquee, housing gardens designed by some of the biggest names in horticulture.

Hospitality packages

If you fancy heading to the Chelsea Flower Show this year, why not treat yourself and enjoy the event in style?

Chef Patron Skye Gyngell, who is one of Britain’s most renowned chefs, has put together a delicious bespoke menu, with food served throughout the private chalets. You can take a seat at shared tables or entertain guests from the comfort of a private area.

The hospitality areas are located in the Spring Garden, with three different packages on offer.

Spring Meridian: A daytime package that offers a light breakfast, four-course lunch and afternoon tea. Refresh yourself in the garden bar with champagne and hand-crafted cocktails and enjoy entertainment from the pianist and live band.

Spring Nocture Dinner: An evening package that provides you with a champagne and canape reception, as well as a four-course dinner and access to the garden bar. A roaming band will provide the evening entertainment as guests can visit the fromagerie station.

Spring Nocture Tasting Dishes: This package is similar to the dining experience, except with delicious tasting dishes in place of the evening meal. Guests will receive champagne and canapes, as well as the chance to access the garden bar and fromagerie station.

Chelsea Flower Show dress code

While the Chelsea Flower Show is traditionally a classy affair, its relaxed atmosphere means there isn’t a hugely strict dress code. Visitors are encouraged to adopt a smart casual look, combining polished and refined garments with casual elements.

With members of the royal family often in attendance, guests often use the opportunity to dress to impress with smart attire.

How to get there

The event takes place in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and is easily accessible by tube. The closest underground station is Sloane Square, which is on the Circle and District lines and is just a 10 minute walk away.

Meanwhile, the nearest main train station is Victoria which offers several bus routes to the venue. For those wishing to drive, it is recommended that you pre-book a parking spot in nearby Battersea Park. From there you’ll be able to take a shuttle bus (which is also open to those not using the car park), with services running throughout the day.

As the Royal Hospital Chelsea is just a stone’s throw from the River Thames, you might fancy arriving by boat. Uber Boat and Thames Clipper services run all day and can drop you off at both Cadogan Pier and Battersea Power Station.

To see what else we have to offer, click here to download a PDF of all our major events in 2024.

Man United break Coventry hearts to set up FA Cup final against Man City

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

The FA Cup final next month will be a repeat of last year’s, with two of the country’s biggest clubs – and fiercest rivals – set to lock horns at Wembley. The Manchester derby will once again head south for the weekend, with Manchester United looking to win the competition for a 13th time against neighbours Manchester City.

While United were the favourites to progress to the final as they took on Coventry City on Sunday, things could have been so different as VAR intervened to deny the Championship outfit a late winner in extra-time. Meanwhile, City bounced back from their midweek Champions League exit to edge past Chelsea and continue their hopes of winning the double.

Man United need penalties to beat Coventry

The magic of the FA Cup was alive and well on Sunday as almost 40,000 Coventry fans filled Wembley with a sea of sky blue and hopes of causing an upset. The Midlands side are no stranger to a big day out, having reached last year’s play-off final, while also winning the FA Cup back in 1987.

Coventry fans would have been forgiven for accepting defeat against United as they found themselves 3-0 down, with goals from Scott McTominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes before the hour mark.

Yet the spirit of ‘87 shone through and, combined with complacency from their Premier League opponents, Coventry mounted a remarkable comeback. Ellis Simms pulled one back in the 71st minute before Callum O’Hare added a second eight minutes later.

They piled on the pressure and were given the ultimate lifeline when Aaron Wan-Bissaka handled the ball and Coventry were awarded a penalty. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Haji Wright stepped up and showed no signs of nerves as he fired the ball past Andre Onana to send the game to extra-time.

As football fans around the world were treated to another 30 minutes of FA Cup action, Coventry had chances to clinch the game. They thought they’d done just that when Victor Torp slotted home with seconds of extra-time left.

But Wright was adjudged to have been offside in the build up and VAR ruled out the goal, sending the match the penalties. It looked like it wasn’t going to be United’s day as experienced midfielder Casemiro fluffed the opening spot-kick.

Yet their luck changed and following misses from O’Hare and Ben Sheaf, Rasmus Hojlund buried the deciding kick to break Coventry hearts and send United to the final for the second successive year.

For Coventry, while they won’t have another FA Cup trip to Wembley this year, they’ll still have memories to last a lifetime and the belief that they can take the game to anyone as they cling on to faint hopes of reaching the play-offs again this season.

Meanwhile, while United now have the chance to end their rivals’ double dreams, their win papers over the cracks of a disappointing season, which no doubt leaves the futures of Erik ten Hag and plenty of the playing squad hanging in the balance as they prepare for a new era.

Man City bounce back from Champions League woes

After Arsenal and Liverpool both slipped up last weekend, Man City started last week on top of the world. They sat in the driving seat in the Premier League title race and were looking forward to a clash of the titans against Real Madrid.

Their joy was short lived as they took their European tie to penalties, only to miss out to the Spanish giants. But rather than feel sorry for themselves, Pep Guardiola’s side regrouped and did what they do best as they put in a professional performance to see off Chelsea at Wembley.

The London side actually had the better of the chances but a string of misses from Nicolas Jackson kept the scoreline level. Chelsea felt they should have had a penalty when Cole Palmer’s free-kick hit Jack Grealish’s arm but the officials had other ideas.

And with just six minutes left on the clock, Bernardo Silva, who missed a penalty in the shootout against Real Madrid, arrived at the back post to lash home the winning goal and send Chelsea home.

Following a disappointing first season for Mauricio Pochettino, an FA Cup win would have provided something to build on going into the summer. Yet the Blues will have to settle for a mid-table finish in a campaign to forget that would have been so much worse without the brilliance of Palmer.

For City, they’ll now have full focus as they target their fourth consecutive Premier League title before they return to Wembley next month to take on United.

The FA Cup Final 2024

As ever, Wembley will be the venue as United and City meet in the FA Cup final. This year’s showpiece match takes place on Saturday 25th May and you can watch all the action from the best seats in the house with Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages.

City came out on top last year, winning the competition for the seventh time, thanks to two goals from Ilkay Gundogan. The German volleyed home after just 12 seconds and after Bruno Fernandes levelled the score with a first-half penalty, it was Gundogan on the scoresheet again as he added a second to secure a 2-1 win.

With Gundogan no longer at the club, the responsibility will fall on somebody else’s shoulders to make themselves a hero for either side, with Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden coming up against the likes of Marcus Rashford, Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho.

ICON Legends – Danny Care – England and Harlequins star

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

As the England rugby team enters a new era under Steve Borthwick, there’s one man that won’t be part of the revolution. Danny Care announced he was retiring from international rugby following the Six Nations last month, bringing an end to his 16-year stint representing his nation.

Care became just the sixth player in history to reach 100 England appearances earlier this year, with his 101st coming in his final appearance as his side suffered late heartbreak against France.

As Care hangs up his boots and reflects on a whirlwind career, we’ve taken a look at his key moments as he becomes the latest inductee in our ICON Legends hall of fame.

An England centurion

Only Ben Youngs, Jason Leonard, Dan Cole, Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes have represented England more times than Care. The 37-year-old scored 84 points for his country, including 15 tries.

The last of those tries proved crucial, coming in the narrow win over Samoa at the World Cup last year, where England ultimately finished third. After helping England to silver in the rugby sevens at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Care made his international debut two years later.

His first appearance came in a defeat to New Zealand, before he scored his maiden try in his first start the following game. Care continued to be selected for England camps and while he took time to establish himself as a starter, he was a crucial part of the squad as England won the Six Nations in 2011.

Three years later, Care was nominated for Six Nations Player of the Year and then in 2016, he helped England claim the Grand Slam for the first time in 13 years. The championship was sewn up with a win over France in the final game, with Care scoring an iconic try in the first half.

With the game level at 3-3, Care picked up the ball 45 metres out before powering through the French backline and diving over the line. The match in Paris eventually finished 31-21 and saw Care claim his second Six Nations medal.

England defended their crown the following year with Care part of the squad and he was also pivotal as they came second on three other occasions. Despite his strong performances for the national team, Care was dropped by Eddie Jones before the 2019 World Cup.

He spent three years in the wilderness before eventually earning a recall in 2022 and he enjoyed one final tournament in France last year.

Harlequins hero

Domestically, Care started out at hometown club Leeds Tykes before joining Harlequins in 2006, where he has played ever since. The stalwart has made 370 appearances for the London outfit, scoring almost 600 points in the process.

Despite his success on the rugby pitch, things could have turned out so differently for Care. A talented sportsman, he was snapped up to the Sheffield Wednesday academy as a youngster. But after being released at the age of 15, Care turned his back on football in favour of pursuing a career in rugby.

He made his Guinness Premiership debut in 2005 before joining Quins a year later – and he hasn’t looked back. As well as his Six Nations medal collection, Care has tasted success at club level too.

He was a key cog as Harlequins won Premiership Rugby titles in both 2012 and 2021, while they also went all the way in the EPCR Challenge Cup in 2011. That cup final saw them come up against Stade Francais in Cardiff and the French side were leading 18-12 with just five minutes left on the clock.

But always one to step up for his teammates, Care chipped an expert ball through to Gonzalo Camacho, who gratefully scored and saw his try converted to claim the trophy. The following year, Care was pivotal again as they beat Leicester to the title.

While his England honours quenched the thirst in the intervening years, Care wouldn’t taste domestic success again until 2021. But it was worth the wait as Harlequins came back from 28-0 down against Bristol Bears to win the semi-final, before pipping Exeter Chiefs to claim the title.

Although Care would have dreamt of retiring with a World Cup win to his name, he can have no regrets over his success on the field. His reliability and professionalism were key components in his longevity in the England setup.

Alongside several other seasoned professionals, Care’s experience provided the glue for the England side, acting as the foil for the up and coming youngsters that have entered the fold of late.

As the England team continues to grow, any success they have in the near future will obviously see the plaudits aimed at those that have got the job done. Yet those players will undoubtedly be the first to admit that the leadership of Care and his fellow older heads would have paved the way for their success.

Looking ahead to a summer of cricket

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

Cricket and summer go hand-in-hand in England and a manic period of top-class action is on the horizon. We’re very much in the calm before the storm, with an explosion of both domestic and international cricket around the corner.

With England scheduled to play in all formats, as well as the return of The Hundred and the T20 Blast, here’s everything you need to know.

A busy summer awaits for England

After a thrilling summer of cricket last year that saw England narrowly miss out on reclaiming the Ashes, we’re set for another exciting few months. England will be busy in all formats both on home soil and further afield.

First up, they take on Pakistan in a T20 series in May that will serve as a warm-up for the World Cup the following month. Four matches at Headingley, Edgbaston, Sophia Gardens and The Oval await, which should give Matthew Mott and Jos Buttler a good idea of how the squad is shaping up.

Pakistan will provide a strong test in anticipation of the tournament, where England will be hoping to retain their crown. The two sides met in the final last time out, with England coming out on top in Australia.

Following the World Cup, which takes place in the West Indies and United States, it’s the return of Bazball. Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes and co. will bring their exciting style back to wow cricket fans in two home Test series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.

They’ll be looking to win the Richards-Botham Trophy for the first time, which is awarded to the winner of their Test clashes against the West Indies. It replaced the Wisden Trophy, which was the prize up until 2020.

The pair last met in this format across 2021 and 2022, with West Indies coming out on top. They claimed the series after winning the third and final Test, with the first two matches drawn. This time, it’s England’s turn to host, with the three matches in July taking place at Lord’s, Trent Bridge and Edgbaston.

Following that, England will then take on Sri Lanka in another three Test matches. First up they’ll play at Old Trafford in August, before heading to the capital in September for matches at Lord’s and The Oval.

Sri Lanka last played a Test in England in 2016, which the hosts comfortably won. England also won the following two Tests between the two, which took place in Sri Lanka.

The fun doesn’t stop there as England will end the season with a white-ball series against old foes Australia. The two will meet in the World Cup group stage and they’re set for a rematch, with a quickfire triple T20 series across five days at the Ageas Bowl, Sophia Gardens and Old Trafford.

They’ll then meet in five ODI matches, where Australia will be heavy favourites having claimed the World Cup at the backend of last year. They start at Trent Bridge before heading north to Headingley and Riverside. The series then goes to Lord’s before finishing at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.

England's Test Cricket team play at Emirates Old Trafford

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Can England retain the T20 World Cup?

The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup heads to the West Indies and United States in June and England are looking to claim a record third title. They’re the reigning champions, having beaten Pakistan in the final two years ago thanks to a 52 not out from Stokes.

They’ll be hoping to improve their white-ball performances following a disappointing ODI World Cup display last year. England finished seventh with a poor showing in India, winning just three of their nine games.

The tournament has expanded from 16 teams to 20 and England have been drawn in Group B. They come up against fierce rivals Scotland in their opening match on 4th June before they face their biggest group test against the Aussies in their second game.

England will also come up against Namibia and Oman. The top two from each group progress to a Super 8s group, where again the top two will progress to the semi-finals. There’s a lot of cricket to play before the final in Barbados on 29th June – will England make it there? Fingers crossed!

It’s party time with the Hundred and T20 Blast!

If you’re a fan of cricket with a party atmosphere, we’ve got good news – it’s not long until The Hundred and the T20 Blast get back underway. The Hundred is heading into its fourth edition and the new 100-ball format has proved to be a smash hit with cricket fans.

Last year saw Southern Brave finally win the women’s title, having lost the previous two finals to Oval Invincibles. Meanwhile, Oval Invincibles claimed their first men’s title, conedming Manchester Originals to their second consecutive final defeat.

Join us for all the double header action at Lord’s and The Oval, including the final on Sunday 18th August.

The T20 Blast is also nearing a return and we’ve got exclusive hospitality packages available for all of Middlesex’s games at Lord’s. Plus, you can join us in the best seats in the house for Finals Day at Edgbaston on 14th September.

Everything you need to know about the Grand National 2024

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

The world will be watching Aintree on Saturday afternoon as some of horse racing’s biggest stars go head-to-head in the Grand National. While all eyes will understandably be on the iconic showpiece race, the three-day festival gets underway on Thursday.

Racing fans both in Liverpool and watching on TV will be treated to 21 thrilling races, with hundreds of horses and jockeys looking to make a name for themselves. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the event.

The Grand National

Having first taken place in 1839, the Grand National has become one of the world’s most prestigious races over the last 185 years. Run over around 4 miles and 2 ½ furlongs, horses will need to navigate 30 testing fences before reaching the winning post.

Countless famous horses and jockeys have been victorious in the race over the years, with Red Rum arguably the most well known of all. The Irish horse notably won back-to-back races in 1973 and 1974, before coming back to complete the hat-trick in 1977. Remarkably, Red Rum finished second in the two intervening years.

Following animal rights protests disrupting the race last year, there have been a number of changes implemented to ensure the safety of the horses. The field has been reduced from 40 to a maximum of 34, which minimises the risk of horses falling.

The race will now begin from a standing start instead of a rolling one, while the first fence has also been brought forward slightly. Both of these measures will reduce the speed of the horses during the start of the race. Similarly, fence 11 has been reduced in height, as has the drop on the landing side.

This year’s Grand National will get underway at 4pm, rather than the traditional 5:15pm start. Reigning champion Corach Rambler is looking to become the first horse to secure back-to-back nationals since Tiger Roll five years ago.

Derek Fox rode to victory a year ago, edging 2 ½ lengths clear of runner-up Vanillier, who is back to try and go one better than last time out. The pair will face stiff competition from the Willie Mullins trained I Am Maximus, who won the Irish Grand National in 2023.

Grand National race schedule

Thursday 11th April – Opening Day

1:45pm – The Close Brothers Manifesto Novices’ Chase
2:20pm – The Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle
2:55pm – The William Hill Bowl
3:30pm – The William Hill Aintree Hurdle
4:05pm – The Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
4:40pm – The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase
5:15pm – The Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat

Friday 12th April – Ladies’ Day

1:45pm – The Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase
2:20pm – The William Hill Handicap Hurdle
2:55pm – The TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle
3:30pm – The My Pension Expert Melling Chase
4:05pm – The Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Chase
4:40pm – The Cavani Sartorial Menswear Sefton Novices’ Hurdle
5:15pm – The Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle

Saturday 13th April – Grand National Day

1:20pm – The William Hill Handicap Hurdle
1:55pm – The Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
2:30pm – The William Hill Handicap Chase
3:05pm – The JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle
4:00pm – The Randox Grand National Steeple Chase
5:00pm – The My Pension Expert Maghull Novices’ Chase
5:35pm – The Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race

Grand National hospitality

Giddy up and enjoy the racing from the best seats in the house with Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages. We offer three different options. The Tiger Roll Suite is a marquee that offers views of the parade ring, a four-course lunch, complimentary drinks, premier course admission and plenty more.

Meanwhile, you can enjoy the same benefits plus restaurant entertainment and a private balcony in the Sunloch Restaurant. Finally, the Horse & Groom is Aintree’s very own pub that’s situated above the weighing room and overlooks the parade ring.

Enquire today to enjoy a three-course pub lunch, reserved grandstand seating, a complimentary bar and a Jockey Club tipster. All of our hospitality packages offer car parking, afternoon snacks and the best views the racecourse has to offer.

Grand National Horse

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Grand National dress code

If you’re wondering what to wear in our hospitality suites, look no further. Aintree racecourse operates a smart casual dress code, although they encourage visitors to dress to impress. No offensive fancy dress is permitted, nor are any sports team colours or kits.

How to get to Aintree Racecourse

If you’re planning on driving to the festival, Aintree racecourse is located on the A59, just a mile from the M57 and M58. Follow the A59 to Liverpool and the yellow signs will direct you to the car parks. Spaces for the car parks can be booked online.

For those travelling by train, frequent Merseyrail services from Liverpool Central station will get you to Aintree station in just over seven minutes. The station is located opposite the racecourse.

The biggest sports events in the Middle East in 2024

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

Football, Formula One, Boxing and countless other sports are growing in popularity throughout the Middle East and with plenty of exciting events to look forward to this year, we’ve taken a look at the biggest events coming up.

Formula One

The new F1 season is alive and kicking, with Max Verstappen picking up where he left off last time out. The three-time winner has stormed to victory in two of the three opening races, including in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

There are plenty more races to go and racing fans in the Middle East will get to see the decisive moments at the tail end of the season. The current campaign will come to a close in December, with the Qatar Grand Prix on 1st December, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 8th December.

Verstappen won both races last year on his way to winning the final seven events of the season. He’ll be looking to repeat the feat this time around and claim his fourth consecutive F1 championship.

Boxing

Combat sports have taken the Middle East by storm in recent years, including plenty of thrilling boxing fights that have taken place in Saudi Arabia. Next up is Tyson Fury’s highly-anticipated bout with unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

The pair are set to come face-to-face in Riyadh on Saturday 18th May, with Fury looking to inflict Usyk’s first ever professional defeat. The Ukrainian has won all 17 of his fights, including twice against Anthony Joshua. One of those fights took place in Saudi Arabia, which was also the setting for Fury’s victory against UFC star Francis Ngannou last October.

The undercard of Fury vs Usyk is packed full of boxing stars, including Jai Opetaia. The Australian is set to face Mairis Briedis to defend the cruiserweight belts he won from him two years ago. Elsewhere, Joe Cordina will face Anthony Cacace in a featherweight world title clash.

Golf

Much like with Formula One, the golf season’s climax takes place in the Middle East with the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. As the ‘Race to Dubai’ comes to a close, the world’s top players will compete to be crowned the DP Tour champion from 14th to 19th November.

Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard came out on top last year, beating runners up Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland and Matt Wallace. Previous winners include Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, though the latter hasn’t tasted victory in Dubai since 2015.

The competition comes a week after the penultimate event of the tour, which sees the Abu Dhabi Championship get underway from 7th to 10th November.

Tennis

The NextGen ATP Finals returns to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia in December and will pit the tennis stars of the future against one another. The competition is open to the best players aged 20 or under and will take place from 18th to 22nd December.

Carlos Alcaraz won the NextGen finals back in 2021 and it took him less than a year to win the US Open. The Spaniard went on to claim his second Grand Slam last summer, beating Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. Similarly, Jannik Sinner won the NextGen final back in 2019 and earned his maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Football

The Asian Cup took place in Qatar earlier this year and the hosts made home advantage count as they went all the way, winning the competition for the second time in a row. They beat Jordan 3-1 in the final, with Golden Boot winner Akram Afiff scoring a hat-trick of penalties to secure the trophy.

The Saudi Pro League has gone from strength to strength since splashing the cash to bring in some of the world’s biggest football stars. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane have all swapped Europe for the Middle East.

Al-Hilal, whose squad includes Kalidou Koulibaly, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ruben Neves, are currently 12 points clear of Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr at the top of the league. The pair will meet in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup next week.

The biggest summer events to look forward in 2024

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

The evenings are getting lighter, the rain is slightly less frequent and it’s almost time to put the big coat back in the loft. It can only mean one thing – summer is just around the corner.

As well as holidays, ice creams, beer gardens and all the other joys summer brings, we’ve also got plenty of exciting events to look forward to in the coming months. From sport to music, we’ve got it covered, and you can enjoy it all from the best seats in the house with our exclusive hospitality packages.

Wimbledon

Perhaps the most iconic British sporting event, summer wouldn’t be complete without Wimbledon. Strawberries and cream, Pimm’s, Henman Hill and the best tennis players in the world.

We’ve got a wide range of hospitality options to choose from and you can join us for the final, where you may well witness Novak Djokovic cement his place as the most successful player of all time.

The Serbian has won 24 Grand Slams and can edge past Margaret Court by winning in SW19. He’ll be looking to make amends having lost in the final last year to rising star Carlos Alcaraz.

Cricket

Last summer we were treated to one of the most thrilling Ashes series in history and, thankfully, there’s loads more cricket action to look forward to this year.

England face both the West Indies and Sri Lanka in home Test series, with Ben Stokes and co. looking to bounce back from a disappointing trip to India earlier this year. They’ll also be taking on Pakistan and Australia in white ball series either side of the T20 World Cup in June.

Domestically, The Hundred continues, with the final taking place at Lord’s in August. Meanwhile, the T20 Blast gets back underway in June if you fancy some high-energy action with a party atmosphere.

British Grand Prix

The midpoint of the Formula One season sees the British Grand Prix once again take place at Silverstone, its permanent home since 1987.

Max Verstappen raced to victory for the first time last year on the way to a record-breaking third successive championship win. Join us trackside this year as Lewis Hamilton looks to win the grand prix on home soil for a record ninth time in what will be his final season with Mercedes.

ICON hospitality at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2023

Golf

This summer sees the Open Championship return to Royal Troon in Scotland for the first time since 2016. Brian Harman stunned the golfing world by winning the competition last year. This time around, Rory McIlroy will be looking to win it, 10 years after his one and only title.

The Scottish Open and the BMW PGA Championship will also take place later this year – enquire today to make the most of our hospitality options.

And if you fancy showing off your skills, why not join us for our ICON golf days at The Grove? Enjoy food and drink on every hole, expert tips from professionals and a whole lot more.

Royal Ascot

After the thrills of Cheltenham earlier this month, the horse racing fun keeps on coming and summer events don’t get much better than Royal Ascot.

As punters dress to impress and place their bets, it’s a chance to see members of the royal family, as well as racing royalty as the world’s best horses and jockeys go head-to-head.

Make the most of our Royal Ascot packages and enjoy eight Group 1 races, including the iconic Gold Cup, which was won by Frankie Dettori in his final appearance at the festival last year.

ICON Ascot Jockey

Henley Royal Regatta

The Henley Royal Regatta has been a staple of British summer for 185 years, with more than 300,000 excited rowing fans expected in Oxfordshire for this summer’s edition.

Rowers from all over the world will flock to Henley for six days of competitive action, with over 300 races set to take place. The racing action is enough to keep you entertained but to top it off, you can take in the event in our exclusive hospitality areas, with food, drink and plenty of entertainment on offer.

Concerts and festivals

Festival season is almost upon us but if you don’t feel like pitching a tent and getting your wellies out of the shed, you can still sing your heart out as the world’s biggest artists head off on tour.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour continues this year and you can dance along in style in London, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Cardiff. Meanwhile, you can also catch Bruce Spingsteen, Take That, Green Day, Coldplay and Liam Gallagher. Plus, Adele is set to spend most of August wowing her European fans at her residency in Munich.

If you missed out on Glastonbury tickets, don’t worry – there are still top festivals in London to look forward to. Head to BST in Hyde Park to see the likes of SZA, Kings of Leon, Stevie Nicks, Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue. Elsewhere, Hampton Court Palace Festival and Kew the Music are also back for another year.

Music Event Diary

Everything you need to know about Salon Privé

Posted on by Andrew Morgan

Classic car fans, assemble – everybody’s favourite luxury car show is returning to London next month. The Salon Privé is heading to the Royal Hospital Chelsea for three days in April, giving car lovers the chance to take a closer look at some of the finest classic cars around.

The spectacular lawns will be transformed into a stunning presentation of luxury automobiles. From Aston Martins from the ‘60s to new and exclusive cars debuting at the show, attendees will have the chance to treat themselves to anything that catches their eye.

As well as the wonderful range of cars to enjoy, visitors to the Salon Privé can also take advantage of our exclusive hospitality packages, which offer a three-course lunch on days one and two, as well as a family-friendly buffet on day three.

As well as a complimentary bar to keep you refreshed in between exploring the thrills that the event has to offer, you can also enjoy a relaxed, comfortable environment, with attractions and performers guaranteed to keep you entertained.

The Salon Privé at Royal Hospital Chelsea is set to be an incredible event and if you enjoy it and fancy some more, we’ll be doing it all over again for the grand finale at Blenheim in August.

Day 1 – Thursday 18th April

The opening day of the Salon Privé will be a celebration of Porsches as we toast the 50-year anniversary of the 911 Turbo. For one day only, guests can peruse a vast collection of Turbos through the ages lined up along the lawn.

Thursday also represents the first day of the Concours de Vente. Learn the histories of all the classic cars on offer and, as they’re all for sale, there’s the opportunity to purchase the items as well.

Day 2 – Friday 19th April

While day one is dedicated to Porches, the second day is all about McLaren. Join us for Ladies’ Day and discover the biggest variety of McLaren models ever seen in London.

Meanwhile, the Concours de Vente continues for those in the market for a new car, or simply those interested in taking a look. There will be 75 classic cars for sale, including Bentleys, Ferraris and Aston Martins.

Day 3 – Saturday 20th April

The last day of the event, but certainly not the least, is Supercar Saturday. Enjoy a luxury display of supercars on the lawn in a collaboration with SCC Private Members Club.

The final day will also see awards presented to the models in the Concours de Vente, with attendees able to vote for their favourite in the ‘People’s Choice’ award. It’s also the last chance to see the best new cars and motorcycles debuting at the Salon Privé.

Salon Privé dress code

While the Salon Privé is a high-end event, they prefer to keep things relaxed and encourage a sophisticated dress code without being too formal. Gentlemen are advised to wear a comfortable suit or blazer with chinos, along with a pair of brogues.

Ladies are encouraged to don chic attire like a summer dress, trousers or a jumpsuit. They’re also advised to wear shoes that they can comfortably wear to walk on gravel paths and lawns. For this reason, wearing stiletto heels is not recommended.

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