Prize-money boost for National

For the John Smith's Grand National prize money has been announced by the Aintree and will increase to a record £950,000 next year - a rise of £25,000 on the 2010 race.

At the Liverpool course on Saturday, April 9, there would going to be The world's most famous steeplechase, to be run,will be the seventh under the headline sponsor, with 2011 being the first year in a new three-year contract renewal.

Aintree managing director Julian Thick said: "We are delighted the Grand National will be worth a record £950,000 in 2011, making it by far the richest jump race in Europe."

He added: "It is fantastic to have such a supportive partner in John Smith's, who have enabled us to continue to increase the prize fund for our showcase race."

Grand National Schedule Flat Track 2011

Grand National Championship today schedule, a series that will feature 22 races at 17 venues - an increase over last year. And the return of the Sacramento Mile, an addition that is sure to bring a smile to Northern California dirt track fans.

Gary Kidd Flat Track Manager of AMA Pro Racing said, "The expansion of the series is exciting news for our fans, riders and sponsors. We continue to work hard to showcase America's traditional form of motorcycle racing in various parts of the country. Our goal is to continue to work with our existing promoters while going out to find aggressive promoters near key markets that will further benefit the series."

Schedule of the Grand National series:

March 10 DAYTONA® Flat Track (Daytona Beach, Florida) Short Track
March 11 DAYTONA® Flat Track (Daytona Beach, Florida) Short Track
April 2 Southern Illinois Center (Du Quoin, Illinois) TT
April 23 Salinas Sports Complex (Salinas, California) TT
May 1 Yavapai Downs (Prescott Valley, Arizona) Mile
May 28 Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Illinois) TT
May 29 Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Illinois) Mile
June 11 Hartford Motor Speedway (Hartford, Michigan) Half-mile
June 25 Allen County Fairgrounds (Lima, Ohio) Half-mile
July 9 Hagerstown Speedway (Hagerstown, Maryland) Half-mile
July 16 I-96 Speedway (Lake Odessa, Michigan) Half-mile

July 23 Metra Park Raceway (Billings, Montana) Half-mile
July 30 Cal Expo Fair (Sacramento, California) Mile
August 6 Castle Rock Race Park (Castle Rock, Washington) TT
August 21 Peoria Race Park (Peoria, Illinois) TT
August 27 Indiana State Fairgrounds (Indianapolis, Indiana) Mile
September 3 Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Illinois) Short Track
September 4 Illinois State Fairgrounds (Springfield, Illinois) Mile
September 10 Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, Iowa) Half-mile
September 24 Canterbury Park (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Mile
October 1 Calistoga Speedway (Calistoga, California) Half-mile
October 9 Yavapai Downs (Prescott Valley, Arizona) Mile

Thanks on National trail

Despite crashing out in the Hennessy Gold Cup Big Fella Thanks remains firmly on course for a tilt at the Grand National in the spring.

For the Newbury a major contender is Big Fella,but only made it as far as the third fence before parting company with Graham Lee.

"He's fine and he'll probably have a run over hurdles in January somewhere," said the West Witton handler.

"After that he'll probably go for the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury, which he won last year, before going back to Aintree for the National."